Bayern’s Bold Stance: Upamecano May Stay as Barca and Real Madrid Circle
20 November 2025
Update on Upamecano's Future
Herbert Hainer, Bayern Munich’s president, has sent a note of optimism to Real Madrid and Barcelona about Dayot Upamecano’s future, as the French defender’s contract runs through June 2026.
Hainer’s Remarks
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hainer said he is optimistic about extending Upamecano’s deal. He stressed that Upamecano is happy at Bayern, comfortable with manager Vincent Kompany, and remains a cornerstone of the squad.
Contract, Form, and Transfer Buzz
Upamecano, 27, joined Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2021 for €42.5 million and has appeared 167 times for the club, scoring five goals and contributing ten assists. He has collected 31 yellow cards and three red cards in his Bayern career so far.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, rumors have swirled about moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, with Barca reportedly the likeliest destination while Madrid and PSG have not ruled out others, including talk around other defenders such as Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been linked with Guehi; Bayern Munich continue to monitor the situation in case Upamecano does not sign a new deal.
Barça has faced a defensive crisis this season, which has pushed coach Xabi Alonso to push for a tighter back line, aggressive pressing, and better offside positioning to prevent leaks at the back.
Mbappé has commented at times without committing to any move, praising Upamecano as a top defender who would attract interest from many clubs. He noted that talking about a player of that caliber will make every big club want him.
Internationally, Upamecano has earned 35 caps for France since September 2020, scoring two goals and helping Les Bleus win the Nations League in 2021.
Back to club matters, Bayern prepare for three fixtures in about a week after the international break: a league trip to Freiburg on Saturday, a Champions League clash at Arsenal in London on Wednesday, and a home match against St. Pauli three days later.
Punchline 1: Staying would make Bayern’s defense tighter than a drum at a German festival, and attackers will start double-checking their boots before they even swing.
