Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano on a five-year deal, snapping the defender ahead of a host of European clubs, which reportedly includes the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.
"Dayot Upamecano (22, RB Leipzig) will move to FC Bayern München from 1 July 2021," read an official statement from the German club. "The defender and the German record champions have agreed the terms of a five-year deal until 30 June 2026.
The club's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: “We are happy that we were able to win Dayot Upamecano for FC Bayern Munich.
"He is a young player, 22, whose qualities have already developed extraordinarily," Salihamidzic said.
"I was always convinced that we had presented a good concept. We presented him with our vision of his career at Bayern. During the past week in Doha, I had further talks with everyone involved. At the end of a long process, the players, family and management were convinced that FC Bayern was the right club."
Bayern's confirmation of signing the 22-year-old defender puts an end to a lengthy transfer saga. Reports have it that apart from Chelsea and Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid and even Juventus had shown interest. It were, however, the Bavarians who ended up couping the youngster after paying his €42.5 million worth of release clause.
Bayern may have paid more than what they are used to spending, but they sure need a defensive reinforcement given the fact that both David Alaba and Jerome Boateng might depart at the end of the season. It is said that there were two overriding factors for Upamecano's decision of choosing Bayern. One was the French connection and other was Hansi Flick’s influence. Flick, in fact, was personally involved in the transfer and helped convince Upamecano.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ronny Hartmann
