Bayern Munich step up talks to keep Dayot Upamecano at Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich step up talks to keep Dayot Upamecano at Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich are making strong progress in contract negotiations with French defender Dayot Upamecano as they aim to secure his long-term future beyond 2026.

Upamecano's current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, and Bayern are determined to avoid losing the 26-year-old on a free transfer.

According to German journalist Christian Falk, discussions between the club and the player's representatives are moving in a positive direction, with both parties reportedly reaching an understanding over the base salary.

Club president Herbert Hainer confirmed that talks are advancing, saying: "Talks are ongoing to get new deal done for Dayot Upamecano. Of course I hope that Dayot will stay with us for a long time."

The next step in negotiations is expected to focus on a signing fee. Bayern reportedly paid Alphonso Davies around €22 million when he agreed to his recent extension, but club officials are not prepared to match that figure for Upamecano, who could command a larger bonus as a free agent elsewhere, who has also attracted interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Bayern's determination to keep Upamecano stems from their renewed focus on defensive stability. After missing out on transfer targets such as Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade in the summer, the German champions managed to land Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen to strengthen the back line.

Upamecano has since emerged as the preferred partner for Tah at the heart of Bayern's defence, forming a reliable combination that has impressed Vincent Kompany's coaching staff.

While Kim Min-jae remains a valued option, Bayern view Upamecano as the more integral figure for their long-term plans.

If an agreement is finalised, it would mark another key step in Bayern's efforts to secure the core of their squad amid growing competition from Europe's elite.

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