Liverpool, Manchester United Among Teams Expected To Race For Upamecano Next Summer

RB Leipzig successfully fended off suitors for Dayot Upamecano with multiple clubs unable to meet the asking price of RBL for the French player. However, that does not mean that clubs have given up hope on taking the 21-year-old defender. Liverpool and Manchester United are among the teams expected to go after Upamecano next summer.

Upamecano carried a hefty $58 million release clause and interested clubs like United failed to come up with the necessary funds to pitch and offer to RB Leipzig. The Frenchman is coming off an impressive stint with the club in both Bundesliga and the Champions League. He ended up re-signing a new lease with The Red Bulls.

However, his new contract carries something interesting. Originally, Upamecano had a deal that would expire next summer. Some teams likely opted to wait for that to run out but a new deal was struck. Luckily, the details of the new deal include a much-lower fee roughly worth $47 million, SportBILD reported.

Comparing the new release clause for next summer with the current one, it turns out clubs who were unable to get him could have better luck next season. Rather than see the 21-year-old walk for free, pundits feel the new figures are reasonable. Hence, Liverpool and United are expected to revisit interest in Upamecano next season, ESPN reported.

For now, The Reds and the Red Devils are understandably having a tough time dealing with the financial repercussions brought in by the coronavirus. Most are struggling to get funds but there is a chance that the outlook could be better next year – assuming the pandemic dies down.

Also, it would be best to note that United and Liverpool may not be the only ones monitoring the situation of Upamecano. Manchester City could crowd the two clubs though the chances of that happening are not looking too high. The Sky Blues have spent much already, bringing in Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake this season.

Upamecano could use the season to further hone his skills in preparation for next summer. But this early, he has already earned some endorsement from former England defender Rio Ferdinand.

“Upamecano is young, good on the ball, athletic, strong, mobile, plays every game. He’s one you can see coming in right now,” Ferdinand said. “Upamecano is the one who jumps out to me, when I watched the Champions League last year, he was the one who stood out to me.”