Real Madrid once again causes concern for Bayern Munich

Real Madrid is closely tracking center-back Dayot Upamecano, making Bayern Munich anxious about the possibility of losing a key player on a free transfer again, as happened with Kroos and Alaba.

The future of center-back Dayot Upamecano has become a hot topic in Europe as Real Madrid shows special interest. The French star is entering the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich and has yet to agree on an extension, leaving the Bavarian club genuinely uneasy.

According to the AS, Upamecano is on Real Madrid's priority list. The 26-year-old defender is highly valued for his top-level experience and leadership in defense. The player's representatives are said to have contacted Madrid to explore the possibility of a repeat of the "Alaba deal," meaning a free transfer departure.

On Bayern Munich’s side, the management cannot hide their concern. Sporting director Max Eberl acknowledged: “It’s no surprise that many clubs are interested in Upamecano. We want to extend his contract, but it will definitely take time.”

This worry is not unfounded. Bayern previously lost Toni Kroos due to failed contract negotiations, leading to the German midfielder joining Real and winning numerous titles. In 2021, they also let David Alaba leave on a free transfer, also heading to Bernabeu. These past mistakes make Bayern particularly cautious in the Upamecano case.

After years of pursuing blockbuster signings, Real Madrid has now shifted their transfer strategy. They not only invest heavily in young talents like Mastantuono, Huijsen, Carreras, and Trent with a total of over 180 million Euros but also skillfully seize free transfer opportunities. Successful deals with Alaba, Rüdiger, and Mbappe clearly illustrate this approach.

Another issue lies in the wage policy. Bayern is known for strict salary budgets and rarely yielding to financial demands. However, they once made an exception to keep Alphonso Davies amid Madrid’s interest. Now, Upamecano is reportedly asking for wages comparable to top team leaders, making negotiations even more tense.

In coach Vincent Kompany’s tactical setup, Upamecano remains a key figure. He has regained consistent form and become a defensive cornerstone. However, Bayern faces a tough dilemma: either agree to raise his salary, sell him in the winter transfer window to avoid losing him for free, or take the risk of waiting and potentially having Real snatch him away on a free next summer.

At Bernabeu, coach Xabi Alonso and the leadership are patiently monitoring the situation. They understand the defense urgently needs reinforcement as Rudiger and Alaba’s contracts near expiration. The “wait for free transfer” strategy that previously succeeded might be applied again with Upamecano.