Bayern Munich chief confirms Premier League clubs in Dayot Upamecano talks

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed the two Premier League clubs battling the German giants for the summer signing of Dayot Upamecano.

France international Upamecano will leave RB Leipzig in the summer due to a £38million release clause in his contract.

European champions Bayern have earmarked the 22-year-old as their prime summer target, as they seek to replace David Alaba.

The Austrian is departing the Allianz Arena on a free transfer and they have already made moves to ensure that Upamecano heads to Bavaria as his replacement.

Last month Bayern contacted RB Leipzig to make their interest known and to request that they be informed of any moves by other parties.

Over the weekend, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed his meeting with Upamecano's agent, Volker Struth, which took place last week.

Now Rummenigge, who has been outspoken in his admiration of Upamecano and has been confident of taking him to Munich, has again seen fit to confirm Bayern's interest.

This time he has also divulged that Liverpool and Chelsea have also opened up a dialogue with Upamecano’s representatives.

"In addition to Bayern Munich, there are at least two quite attractive clubs interested," said Rummenigge on Monday

“The fact is that the player is interesting, and the fact is that we will almost certainly lose David Alaba at his position. I can't say if there will be other departures at the position.

"You have to let things grow in peace. We have a good relationship with Mr. Struth.

“The player will know what he wants at some point. We have a good relationship with RB Leipzig as well. I have had a conversation with Oliver Mintzlaff.

“When things become concrete, we'll talk again.

"The fact that Chelsea and Liverpool are also interested in him proves that he has very good qualities. He can replace David Alaba.”

It comes with Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy increasingly keen to push for Upamecano this summer.

Liverpool chiefs have a good relationship with their Red Bull counterparts and Klopp had hoped that they would make a concerted move to pay a premium on top of his £38m buyout to get him this window.

However, after an initial inquiry was met with RBL asking for £80million – as referenced by Klopp last week – they moved targets.

But Upamecano remains prime in their thinking, as shown by negotiations with Schalke over Ozan Kabak on Deadline Day.

Schalke wanted a loan with a £27.5million obligation to buy in the summer, while Liverpool were only interested in an option to buy – thus keeping their options open ahead of the summer.

Chelsea are keen to strengthen defensively this summer having spent lavishly on their attack in 2020. They will hope that Fikayo Tomori impresses at AC Milan to open up potential funds for an Upamecano deal.

Manchester United made a move for Upamecano last summer but it fell through at the 11th hour; they are yet to decide whether to return as they seek a long-term partner for Harry Maguire.

Leipzig already have their Upamecano replacement lined up, in the form of Strasbourg's 20-year-old defender Mohamed Simakan, who is set to cost just under £15million.

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