Madrid Steps Back: Real Madrid Quietly Drops Free-Transfer Pursuit of Dayot Upamecano

Madrid exits the race for Dayot Upamecano

Real Madrid has pulled out of the bid to sign French defender Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich, whose contract runs out at the end of this season.

According to SPOX, citing ESPN, Madrid had eyed a free transfer in the summer of 2026 but ultimately dropped the pursuit.

Bayern Munich is still pushing to extend the contract of the 27-year-old centre-back.

Reports indicate Upamecano is asking for a salary of 20 million euros per year.

He is also seeking a signing bonus of 22 million euros and a 65 million euro release clause from 2027, demands Bayern has not been willing to meet yet.

Despite Madrid stepping aside, Upamecano remains linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea as alternative destinations.

Upamecano’s terms and the next steps

The talks continue as Bayern weighs the financials of a long-term deal against a potential free-transfer expiration date for the player.

With Madrid out of the picture, the player’s camp and Bayern will likely negotiate the best possible terms before the summer 2026 window closes on the books for now.

As clubs watch closely, the question remains: who will blink first, Bayern or the market’s other suitors?

And yes, in football as in life, sometimes the best deals are those you never sign—just ask this season’s calendar about my inbox.