Barcelona and Real Madrid to battle for France international defender

Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly set to go head to head for Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, who is set to enter the free agency market at the end of the current season. 

Upamecano’s current Bayern deal runs until June 2026, which is why his future is attracting serious attention from top clubs across Europe. 

His Bavarian employers  are engaged in renewal talks but, according to Sky Germany, negotiations have stalled over salary demands and signing-on terms, with Upamecano and his camp holding firm. 

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has emphasised they want to keep him and continue talks, but no new contract has been signed yet. 

According to Foot Mercato, Real Madrid and Barcelona are monitoring the situation and are waiting to pounce should the Bundesliga champion fail to sort out his renewal. 

Los Blancos previously did this with David Alaba, signing him on as a free agent after he ran down his contract at Bayern. The Austrian and Antoine Rudiger are expected to leave Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, creating a necessity for a new centre-back. 

Barcelona also have pressing defensive needs. They failed to replace Inigo Martinez after his abrupt exit in the summer, and his absence has been sorely felt. Ronald Araujo does not seem to have the trust of Hansi Flick, and Andreas Christensen is always an injury scare, leaving Eric Garcia and 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi as their reliable defensive options.