Dayot Upamecano could be ready to shun interest from Real Madrid and PSG after holding “very constructive talks” with Bayern Munich.
The central defender’s Bayern contract expires at the end of the season, making him an appealing target for most of Europe’s big guns. But the Bundesliga champions offered an encouraging update this morning as they look to keep the 27-year-old.
Sporting director Christoph Freund said: “Upa is a world-class defender who performs at the highest level and is in super shape. He is a really important player for us.
“There are intensive and very constructive talks. It’s also a really important decision for him. He feels very comfortable with the team and the coach. We are positive; it doesn’t matter if it happens a day earlier or later—for us, what’s important is that it happens. It won’t drag on endlessly anymore.”
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany is also keen to keep the France international but insisted he won’t be getting involved in the contract talks.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Mainz, he said: “As a coach, you always have an influence and a role. My role in this situation is purely sporting and focused on development. And that the player has the feeling that not everything is mixed up: performance and contract situation. Football must remain the priority – and that’s what our conversations are about.”
Kompany ready for revamped Mainz
Bayern go into tomorrow’s game with an eight-point lead at the top of the table having dropped just two points in their opening 13 games.
Mainz are bottom and made the decision recently to sack Bo Henriksen and replace him with former Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer.
Kompany added: “Of course, there are always a few question marks when a new manager arrives. You always expect a reaction from the team. I have to say, we are always prepared, even for the fact that the systems sometimes change during the game. There is a normal tactic and a Bayern plan. It has happened before that we were so well prepared, but the opponents did something different because they were playing against us.
“Every manager who has to prepare for a match against a new manager for the first time has the same problem. We look at everything and at how Union have played against Bayern in the past. What caused the team to struggle. If something else happens, if they play with a back four tomorrow, we know what we have to do in that situation. We always have to be flexible.”
