Dayot Upamecano plan hatched by Chelsea and Liverpool ahead of 2026 free transfer

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TBR Football understands that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all held discussions this month about the prospect of signing Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano in 2026.

Intermediaries are working hard on behalf of Dayot Upamecano to gauge his options ahead of the New Year, when he would be eligible to sign a pre-contract with another club outside of Germany as his current deal with Bayern Munich expires at the end of the season.

With that in mind, a Premier League move may beckon, with Chelsea thought to be keen on his services – though they may also have to fend off interest in the Frenchman from elite Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, who are also keen on his services

Bayern Munich are locked in talks with their French international star to try and persuade him to extend his deal and they remain confident, but Upamecano is aware of the options for him and there is major interest in England.

Sources: Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City hold discussions over signing Dayot Upamecano for free next summer

TBR Football understands that Chelsea and Liverpool are both in the market for a new central defender heading into 2026.

Whilst both are in the race to sign Marc Guehi – with Liverpool having had a £35million bid accepted for Guehi on deadline day before the move collapsed – he could be the key target.

However, Upamecano is seen as someone very much in the same bracket as the Englishman. Bayern are also on alert for Guehi, given they could lose Upamecano in similar circumstances.

TBR Football can also confirm that Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been spoken to about Upamecano as they ponder a move.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are both out of contract at the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, while Barcelona centre-backs Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are also set to find their way onto the free agents list as things stand.

TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey confirmed what he has been hearing about Upamecano. Bailey said: “We really have a fascinating summer looming, given some of potential big name free agents that might be available, and especially in the centre-half market.

“In England we are thinking and talking about Marc Guehi, but in Europe the name many are talking about is French star Dayot Upamecano – who has really been looking the part at Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany.

“Speaking to sources at a couple of Premier League clubs, they actually believe Upamecano is more likely to stay than leave, but I can tell you Bayern are really worried that Upamecano will have offers presented to him in early 2026 if an agreement with Bayern is not reached.

“And Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are all very much in the mix for him, they all rate him highly.”

With Ibrahima Konate also out of contract at Liverpool, as well as John Stones being in the mix to leave City next summer, it could be a real race for 34-cap star Upamecano – especially given that Chelsea are interested in Konate.