Bayern Munich looked to have great depth across all defensive positions after this summer transfer window. Record-buy Lucas Hernandez and World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard were added to the team, and Die Roten’s defensive back-line looked solid for years to come. However, throughout the campaign, this has not been the case. Therefore, AS says that Bayern is interested in signing Dayot Upamecano - who they will battle Real Madrid for.
The report indicates that RB Leipzig has a €60M release clause on their exciting young center-back. This would be a hefty price to pay for the CB, but not outlandish. After all, Bayern already spent close to €20M more on another French CB. Hernandez is slightly older, with worrying an injury history and (potentially) a lower ceiling. Moreover, The lawn-ballers will be under pressure to sell Upamecano as his contract expires in 2021 - potentially meaning a fee in the region of 40-50M could be on the table.
Furthermore, if Bayern is signing a CB, all signs point to one comfortable playing at RCB - with the club already having two superb options in, Hernandez and David Alaba, at LCB.
The Tong Analysis:
There are multiple reasons why this signing would be unnecessary. Firstly, Bayern will have three world-class CB options as well as Boateng, Mai or any Bayern II options next season. This signing would create a logjam. Next, the Coronavirus means that the club will undeniably have less to spend in this window. Bayern is already eyeing a big-money signing. Will there be enough money to fund Upamecano after Bayern decides to buy Leroy Sane, Timo Werner or Kai Havertz?
Finally, Bayern needs personnel in other positions more. Bayern should focus on signing a winger, a backup strike or a right back. As of now, Upamecano would be a luxury player who wouldn’t fill any major gaps in the Bayern squad.