Official speaks out on future of ‘huge player’ Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham reportedly want

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Reported Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur target Dayot Upamecano has been tipped to stay at RB Leipzig for the foreseeable future by club transfer head Johannes Jahns, as reported by Sport1.

The 21-year-old is one of the most sought-after young defenders in world football at the moment and the fact his contract expires at the end of the 2020-21 season makes him even more appealing to potential suitors.

According to Bild, Upamecano is available for around £52.5million in the summer transfer window and so far he has refused to extend his current deal with RB Leipzig, with Arsenal said to be keen on the centre-back after previously failing to sign him.

In October last year, the Gunners were deemed to be frontrunners for the Frenchman’s signature along with AC Milan (Calciomercato), but since then, numerous other clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham, have been linked with his services (The Mirror).

Upamecano is also said to be on the wishlists of both City boss Pep Guardiola and United counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both clubs reportedly interested in bolstering their defensive ranks this summer (Sky Sports).

However, Jahns has poured cold water on speculation linking the Frenchman with a departure from Leipzig, telling Sport1: “Upa currently has extremely good conditions to develop further.

“He plays at a very high level in Leipzig and I don’t really see any urgency for a change. He can still take the next step in a few years.

“Where he is playing now, he is in very good hands. And his development is far from over. He can also develop wonderfully in Leipzig.”

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Aside from the plaudits sent Upamecano’s way – Lothar Matthaus recently deemed him a “huge player” – the France Under-21 defender’s displays have often spoken for themselves, in particular his shutout of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski in the goalless draw between the two sides earlier this year.

A big, strong centre-back with explosive pace and superb reading of the game, it’s unsurprising to see the Premier League’s top sides all linked with him, and given how much interest there seems to be in him, there could well be a bidding war.