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Dayot Upamecano has quickly become a household name in world football and is currently one of the hottest prospects in the game. The French defender, who has also been called up by Didier Deschamps to represent the national team, is a key player for a high-flying RB Leipzig side under Julian Nagelsmann.
Known for his aerial ability, strength, and ball-playing qualities, Upamecano was shown in the grandest stage last season for Die Rotten Bullen. RB Leipzig took the UEFA Champions League by storm and reached the semi-finals of the competition, before eventually losing to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The 22-year-old produced a string of magnificent displays at the back for his side and was one of the best players in the 2019-20 edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Reports suggest Upamecano has a £42 million release clause that will be effective from the summer of 2021, with the Frenchman attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world.
On that note, here are five clubs that could be involved in a massive battle to secure his signature in the summer.
#5 Chelsea
Free-spending Chelsea have been heavily linked with Upamecano's signature, with new manager Thomas Tuchel likely to sign defensive reinforcements in the summer. With Thiago Silva in the twilight years of his career and the likes of Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger blowing hot and cold, Chelsea need a central defender who can transform their backline.
Upamecano could be the perfect man to add more steel to their backline, as he continues to produce the good for Leipzig week in and week out. Chelsea raided the Bundesliga for Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic in recent years and could well do so once again in the summer for the 22-year-old.
The towering defender will not be short of suitors and the Blues have a battle in their hands to snap him up.
#4 Manchester United
Manchester United are another Premier League side to have been linked with Upamecano in recent months. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have improved defensively since the additions of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but it could be argued that the former is yet to find his perfect central defensive partner.
Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have impressed in patches, but Maguire has led the defense almost single-handedly at times and could do well with another reliable defender to ease the pressure on him.
Christian Falk from SportBild has revealed that Manchester United are keen admirers of Upamecano, and if Solskjaer is looking to add to his rearguard this summer, the Frenchman might be the one he turns to.
#3 Liverpool
An obvious choice on the list, Liverpool are severely depleted at the back and are sure to splash the cash on a top-class defender in the summer. While Virgil van Dijk is an indispensable member of Jurgen Klopp's team, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have been ravaged by injuries in recent seasons.
Additionally, the Reds only have three senior central defenders, making Upamecano a tantalizing option for them. Due to their ongoing defensive crisis -- with Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, and make-shift defender Fabinho out with injuries -- the Reds reportedly enquired about Upamecano's availability in January.
However, Leipzig had no intention of parting with their star man till the summer, with the Bundesliga outfit set to face the Reds in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. In the summer, though, Nagelsmann's side are likely to lose Upamecano and Liverpool are expected to be at the front of the queue for his signature.
#2 Bayern Munich
Unsurprisingly, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also in the hunt for Upamecano's signature. Hansi Flick is likely to lose David Alaba and Jerome Boateng this summer, leaving just Lucas Hernandes, Niklas Sule and new signing Tanguy Nianzou Kouassi as central defensive options.
Karl-Heinze Rummenigge confirmed earlier this month that the Bavarian giants will compete for Upamecano's signature, as they look to add more quality to their rearguard. Bayern have a history of raiding their Bundesliga rivals and could well do so once again this summer, with Upamecano reportedly said to be interested in a move to the Allianz Arena.
#1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid's precarious situation at the back makes them frontrunners for Upamecano's signature. Los Blancos could lose talismanic skipper Sergio Ramos this summer, with the legendary defender no closer to extending his contract that expires this summer.
Additionally, there are rumors that Zinedine Zidane could part ways with the club at the end of the season, putting Ramos' future all the more at risk. Nevertheless, the record La Liga champions are reportedly keeping tabs on Upamecano and could well trigger his release clause in the summer.
David Alaba has also been linked with the club, but if Los Blancos are in the market for a central defender for the long term, it goes without saying that Upamecano would be a better fit for them.
