Manchester United rival Chelsea in Dayot Upamecano pursuit

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to rival Chelsea in the pursuit of Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.

According to Media Foot Marseille, Manchester United have joined the race to sign Bayern Munich centre-back Ddayot Upamecano in the summer transfer window. The Frenchman is also said to be on the transfer wishlist of Chelsea, who are desperately looking for central defensive signings.

Upamecano joined Bayern Munich from fellow Bundesliga club RB Leipzig last year in a deal worth around €40 million. He was drafted into the starting lineup by manager Julian Nagelsmann straight away as the French defender started 25 Bundesliga matches.

However, the arrival of Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus has put a question mark on Upamecano’s future at Bayern Munich. With 2022 being a World Cup year, the Frenchman would be eager to play as a regular starter to remain in the hunt for a spot in Didier Deschamps’s France squad for the upcoming tournament.

Chelsea were among the first clubs to show interest in the 23-year-old defender. The Blues have lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively and could also see one or both of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta leave this summer.

To address their defensive issues, Chelsea have so far signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and are still on the hunt for at least two more central defensive signings. Sevilla’s Jules Kounde has reportedly been on top of their transfer wishlist, but Barcelona have now taken the lead in his pursuit.

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe are also on Chelsea’s list, but they are now looking at Upamecano as well. But the west Londoners might have to face competition from Manchester United for his signature.

The Red Devils entered the summer transfer window with a centre-back high on their priority list. But Manchester United have already signed a central defender in Lisandro Martinez, who has joined them from Ajax. The highly-rated Argentine played under Erik ten Hag at the Dutch club and was also named their Player of the Year last season.

But after signing Martinez, Manchester United do not really need to secure the services of another central defender despite uncertainties surrounding the futures of Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe. Chelsea might thus have the edge over Manchester United in the race to sign Dayot Upamecano.