Skip to content
Transfer

Dayot Upamecano transfer news: Bayern Munich announce signing of RB Leipzig defender

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool were all linked with Dayot Upamecano, but Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have secured the RB Leipzig defender; 22-year-old signed a five-year deal and will move on July 1; Bayern also close to Reading left-back Omar Richards

Dayot Upamecano has helped RB Leipzig challenge at the top end of the Bundesliga this season
Image: Dayot Upamecano has helped RB Leipzig challenge at the top end of the Bundesliga this season

Bayern Munich have beaten several Premier League clubs to the signing of defender Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig, with the move to go through on July 1.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea had been linked with Upamecano - one of the most sought-after young defenders in the game - but Bayern have once again moved fast to get their man.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge previously told Sky in Germany that both Premier League clubs were trying to sign the 22-year-old centre-back.

Financial details of the transfer were not provided but Sky in Germany reported Bayern had triggered his release clause which is worth around 42.5m euros.

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: "We're happy that we've been able to sign Dayot Upamecano for FC Bayern München. We're convinced that Dayot will be a very important member of our team in the coming years."

Upamecano will spend the rest of the season with Leipzig who are second in the Bundesliga, four points behind Bayern who have a game in hand.

Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff says Upamecano, who will line up for the German side in the Champions League against Liverpool this week, indicated he wanted to move on.

Also See:

"Of course, we would have liked to keep Dayot Upamecano at RB Leipzig. However, Dayot indicated to us very fairly and in good time that he would like a new challenge this summer and take the next step," Mintzlaff said.

David Alaba
Image: David Alaba could make way for Upamecano at Bayern

"Dayot has shown outstanding development during his time in Leipzig, which is exemplary for our philosophy of finding young talents and consistently bringing them to the top level.

"Dayot has been and remains an important factor in our success and FC Bayern can look forward to an outstanding footballer and great person."

Bayern close is on Reading's Richards

Bayern are also poised to complete the signing of Reading left-back Omar Richards on a free transfer, according to Sky in Germany.

Sky Sports News reported in January the Bundesliga champions were closing in on a deal for Richards, as the England U21 international was free to speak to clubs outside of the UK.

Reading's Omar Richards
Image: Reading's Omar Richards is close to completing a move to Bayern Munich

The 23-year-old will be out of contract in June and Bayern have moved to secure his arrival on a pre-contract agreement in the summer, when Upamecano is set to join too.

One senior official at Reading told Sky Sports News in January they believed Richards would be worth upwards of £15m if they were able to keep him.

The world champions look likely to lose their versatile defender David Alaba when his contract expires in the summer, with Upamecano set to replace him and Richards likely to become understudy to Alphonso Davies at left-back.

Sky Sports News also reported in January that Real Madrid have made Alaba a lucrative offer and he is also of interest to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Win £250,000 with Super 6!
Win £250,000 with Super 6!

Do not miss your chance to land the £250,000 in Saturday's Super 6 round. Play for free, entries by 3:00pm.

Transfer

Around Sky