Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has confirmed Dayot Upamecano will join the Bundesliga giants this summer.
One of the most sought after central defenders in Europe, the RB Leipzig star has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League as Chelsea were tipped to make a move at the end of the season.
However, in a blow to Thomas Tuchel’s hopes of bolstering his defence with the Frenchman this summer, it has been announced that Bayern have won the race.
In an interview with Bild, as per @iMiaSanMia on Twitter, Salihamidzic has revealed that Bayern will activate the 42.5 million euros (£37m) release clause and that Upamecano will sign a five-year contract at the Allianz Arena.
“I can confirm that and we are very happy about that at FC Bayern. We had very good, intensive and professional discussions with Dayot and his agent Volker Struth for several months,”
“We knew we had very tough competition. Upamecano is a young player, 22, whose qualities are already exceptionally developed. I was always convinced that we had with a good concept.
“We presented him with our vision of his career at FC Bayern.
“During the past week in Doha, I spoke to everyone involved again. At the end of a long process, the player, his family and his management were convinced that FC Bayern was the right partner for them.
“Dayot Upamecano will play for FC Bayern for the next five years.”
Whilst missing out on Upamecano is a blow, it’s a transfer that could actually benefit Chelsea as the Frenchman could be the replacement for David Alaba.
The Austria international set to become a free agent at the end of the season when his contract at Bayern Munich expires and Glen Johnson is of the opinion that Tuchel and Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia should pursue a deal after explaining why Alaba would be the perfect signing.
“Chelsea would need Alaba the most. If they’re going to play with wing-backs he would be the ideal man because he’s an unbelievably good athlete and could play on the left of a back three or as a left wing-back,” Johnson told bettingexpert.
“Alaba could fit at Liverpool, but as we’ve seen with big money defenders, City are the club that normally do that.
“If anybody needed him to slot into their formation right now that would be Chelsea.
“I don’t think he should be walking into a club where he’s the highest paid player. Because he’s out of contract I’m sure he’s trying to get a few big teams to come to the table and go to war over him.
“I think every manager thinks differently and has their views on players that they prefer to sign.
“I think Tuchel will want to bring some players in and I think his number one target will be a striker, just like every team.”
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