As negotiations over salary demands and signing fees stall, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid are closely monitoring developments, raising the possibility of another Bayern star leaving for free.
Bayern Munich are set to hold another crucial meeting with Upamecano's representatives to finalize the terms of a new long-term contract. The 26-year-old, reinvigorated by Vincent Kompany, remains happy with the club, but is yet to accept Bayern's financial offer. His team are pushing for a pay rise close to €15m a year (£13m) and a signing bonus that would bring his earnings in line with teammate Alphonso Davies.
Upamecano's current contract, which runs until 2026, has become a sore point for Bayern's wage structure, with several high-profile players demanding parity following recent renewals. Negotiations have been ongoing since early fall, led by sporting director Max Eberl, but progress has slowed in recent weeks. According to Fabrizio Romano, Bayern still have the ball in their court, but failure to meet financial expectations could push Upamecano to explore other options in 2025.
If no extension is agreed soon, the Frenchman will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that Upamecano is refusing to make concessions during negotiations, creating uncertainty within the Bayern hierarchy. For a player who played 38 games last season and remains central to Kompany's plans, losing him for free would represent a major blow.
Upamecano has many suitors in sight
Under Kompany, Upamecano has returned to his best and established himself as a vital part of Bavaria's possession-heavy defense. His speed, composure on the ball and improved positioning made him a natural fit for the Belgian coach's philosophy. Statistically, he ranks among Der Rekordmeister's top five players in terms of successful passes and is the team's best player in terms of successful tackles per 90 minutes.
Yet despite his resurgence in form, the uncertainty surrounding his contract has opened the way for rivals. Liverpool are monitoring the situation closely, especially as Ibrahima Konaté approaches the final year of his contract, while Real Madrid continue to explore defensive reinforcements for 2026. Manchester United, meanwhile, see Upamecano as a potential long-term solution in central defense, with his physical profile and European experience suiting their recruitment needs.
Bayern fear repercussions if Upamecano's demands are met.
Upamecano's case has become emblematic of changing wage dynamics at Bayern, with more and more players seeking to align their contracts with those of the club's top earners. According to some sources, the French defender earns around 10 million euros per year, significantly less than the 15 million euros received by Davies following his recent extension. Those around him believe that parity is justified given Upamecano's importance in Kompany's system and his position among the best central defenders in Europe.
These negotiations also reflect Bayern Munich's more general desire to ensure stability after a turbulent 18 months, marked by coaching changes and key departures. Sporting director Eberl prioritized the renewals of fundamental players like Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala, but Upamecano's demands proved the most complex. Bayern remain reluctant to exceed their internal salary cap, fearing it could lead to further wage demands within the team.
