“Bild” reports on the breakthrough
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FC Bayern will apparently soon be able to put a green tick behind an important personality. As the “Picture” reports, the Munich team has achieved a breakthrough in the contract negotiations regarding an extension with central defender Dayot Upamecano. “On the majority of the previous sticking points,” as the paper puts it, the record champions and the Frenchman, who will be free in 2026, are said to have come to an agreement. This is particularly about the earnest money and an exit clause. There is no further information about this yet. The final agreement is expected shortly because the final details still need to be clarified.
Upamecano’s signature could take place in January and will result in a salary increase of around up to 20 million euros. The top earners in Munich are Harry Kane (32), Manuel Neuer (39) and Joshua Kimmich (30), who are each expected to earn at least 25 million euros. In its efforts to extend the contract with Upamecano, FC Bayern is prevailing against high-profile competitors such as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen last commented on the personnel at the weekend. “Upa has an offer from us, which we have also improved upon. This has already been discussed several times with his advisors and now again with himself,” he explained during a visit to the fan club and added: “I think he should sign what he has there now, because it won’t get any better. We made him an extremely good offer because he has been playing very well for a year and a half now. He is certainly one of the best central defenders there is in the world.”
Only four central defenders are more valuable than FC Bayern’s Upamecano
In the ranking of the internationally most valuable central defenders, Upamecano, valued at 70 million euros, only has to give way to a quartet: William Saliba (Arsenal/90 million), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona/80 million), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter/80 million) and Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal/75 million).
The defender, who came from RB Leipzig in 2021 for 42.5 million euros, made it clear that there would be no pressure for him and that he was in communication with those responsible for the sport: “The relationship with everyone is good. I hope that there will be a solution soon, but I don’t have a deadline. I am very happy to play for this big club and am concentrating on my performance on the pitch, I will let my agent do the rest,” said the national player after the 5-0 win in the friendly at RB Salzburg.