Liverpool and Manchester United are preparing for a transfer battle as they both race to sign Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.
Both Premier League clubs are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements.
With the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the 27-year-old’s contract situation, his next destination is far from certain.
But in recent days, Liverpool and United have stepped up their interest in the Frenchman.
Capped 35 times by his country, Upamecano has become one of Europe’s leading defenders.
An imposing physical presence, he combines elite athleticism with excellent technical ability.
As a result, he has emerged as a major January target for several of Europe’s elite clubs.
Liverpool Keen On Upamecano Transfer
For Liverpool, the pursuit of Upamecano comes as they club is spiralling into crisis.
After a strong start to the campaign, things have unravelled at break-neck speed.
Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by PSV at Anfield capped a run of three straight losses by a three-goal margin, something that hasn’t happened in more than 70 years.
With nine losses in their last 12 in all competitions, Liverpool are on their worst run since 1953.
Full-time. #UCL pic.twitter.com/vO2Lal8TyM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 26, 2025
Reds boss Arne Slot is under immense pressure, with the the next Liverpool manager odds shortening on a replacement.
The need for a defender has been particularly glaring since Liverpool’s deadline-day move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi collapsed.
And given their recent form, strengthening at the back has become non-negotiable.
Upamecano has therefore emerged as a key target in the upcoming window.
Manchester United Also Pursuing Dayot Upamecano
Liverpool aren’t the only Premier League club interested in Upamecano, though.
Manchester United have improved this season under Ruben Amorim. But they remain defensively vulnerable.
They have conceded 19 goals in just 12 league games, and their inability to shut teams out continues to undermine their progress at the other end.
It’s clear they are in need of reinforcements, with United set to turn to academy youngsters when they lose a number of key players to the upcoming AFCON tournament.
Amorim wants to bring in a top-class defender that he can trust, and Upamecanofits that bill perfectly.
An experienced, technically gifted and physically dominant centre-half, he would bring stability and reassurance to the Old Trafford back-line.
Upamecano’s Bayern Contract Situation Opens Transfer Door
The probability of Upamecano leaving Bayern stems from an increasingly complex contract situation.
Enjoying perhaps the best season of his career, the Frenchman has become a cornerstone of Bayerns’ defence.
He even made it on to the scoresheet in Bayern’s 6-2 win against Freiburg recently.
But despite his form, his future remains unclear.
Bayern are working “intensively” on a new contract, with a long-term deal running to 2030 or 2031 under discussion.
France have kept 18 clean sheets in the last 23 games with Dayot Upamecano on the pitch [@Statsdufoot] pic.twitter.com/5mk1AbuoNY
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) November 13, 2025
Both the club and Upamecano’s camp are understood to be sending positive signals.
But crucially, no agreement has yet been reached. And that is where the door has opened.
The uncertainty surrounding his contract has drawn heavy attention from across Europe.
According to reports, both Real Madrid and PSG have been “lurking,” preparing for the possibility of a free transfer next summer should talks continue to stall.
Both clubs see Upamecano as a rare opportunity to acquire a top-level defender at minimal cost, and his profile fits their long-term planning.
But the evolving landscape in England has now shifted the dynamic.
Liverpool’s desperation for a centre-back, and their willingness to act quickly, means they could offer Bayern a decent sum in order to secure their man in January rather than wait until the summer.
United, meanwhile, are equally keen to bring in a defender ASAP, and may also spend this window.
Upamecano Remains Tight-Lipped On His Future Transfer News
Upamecano himself has kept his plans quiet.
Following the win over Freiburg, he insisted that money would not be a deciding factor in his next move.
But he refused to give any indication of where that might be, or if he plans to stay at Bayern.
“I can say this 100 more times, but we’ll see what happens,” he said.
With Bayern pushing for a renewal and Europe’s elite circling, the coming months will be crucial for one of the continent’s best defenders.
And as it stands, Liverpool and Manchester United are ready to go all-in on signing what they hope is the answer to their defensive problems.
