Dayot Upamecano has distanced himself from speculation that he could be set for a big-money transfer move in January, insisting he remains ‘very happy’ at Bayern Munich.
Upamecano has started all but two of Bayern’s opening 11 matches in the Bundesliga this term, in what is his fourth season with the German champions.
The 27-year-old centre-back has been a near ever-present in the team since his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021, helping the club win three league titles and three German Super Cups in that time.
But Upamecano’s current contract at the Allianz Arena is due to expire in six months’ time and talks over a possible renewal have so far come to nothing.
Recent reports emanating out of Germany suggested the ‘game of poker’ between Upamecano’s camp and Bayern had been ‘dragging on for months’, with little sign of a resolution on the horizon.
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And though Upamecano and his family are well settled in Munich, the defender’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, is said to have one eye on the transfer market, aware of growing interest around Europe.
Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Chelsea are all believed to be keeping close tabs on the situation, with the France international available on a free transfer next summer as things stand.
While Bayern value Upamecano in the region of €60million (£53m), the club must decide whether to consider selling the centre-half this winter – or risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
Asked for an update on his future after getting on the scoresheet in Bayern’s 6-2 defeat of SC Freiburg on Saturday, Upamecano told reporters: ‘I am very happy here.
‘He [Vincent Kompany] is an outstanding coach and we talk a lot.
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‘It’s fun to play under him! I’m very pleased that he has extended his contract.
‘We all feel very comfortable under him.’
Upamecano was keen to reassure fans that his ultimate decision would not be determined by money.
‘No, no. It has nothing to do with money,’ the Frenchman added.
‘We’re discussing it. We talk a lot with [Bayern directors] Max Eberl and Christoph Freund.
‘I’m satisfied, I’m having a good season, I’m doing my job, I’m giving everything for this club.
‘I could say that 100 more times, but we’ll see what happens.’
Speaking to Sky Deutschland earlier this month, Bayern’s sporting director Eberl stressed that the club were doing everything in their power to secure Upamecano on a new contract.
‘It’s normal if other clubs are calling his agents, it’s part of the game,’ he explained.
‘I’ve already said that we want to do our best and get new contract done. We are on it.’
‘Upa has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the world. He went through a phase where he made a few mistakes.
‘We are working and making sure we do everything we can to make Dayot Upamecano sign a new contract.’
Bayern head coach Kompany, meanwhile, has repeatedly underlined his desire to keep hold of Upamecano beyond the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
‘I’m not the only one making the decision,’ the Belgian said.
‘I always see my players as slightly better than everyone else. Dayot Upamecano is an absolutely important part of our team.
‘We have very clearly defined roles in our club. It’s not just me who makes the decision.’