Manchester United are reportedly preparing to battle some of Europe’s biggest clubs for the signing of Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, according to reports from Spain.

The French centre-back, who joined Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2021, has been a regular starter at the Allianz Arena and has already lifted three Bundesliga titles along with multiple Supercup trophies.

However, his future in Germany is far from certain as his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

Bayern standoff opens door for United

Upamecano earns around €16m per year, but Bayern have so far refused to meet his demand for a wage increase, leaving negotiations at a standstill.

The Bavarians are reluctant to break their wage structure, which has put United and others on high alert.

With his value estimated at £52m, Manchester United see the chance to secure a player of his pedigree for free as too good to ignore.

If the standoff continues, Ruben Amorim’s side could move in January to negotiate a pre-contract agreement, paving the way for a summer arrival.

Competition from Madrid and PSG for Dayot Upamecano

United’s path to Upamecano will not be straightforward. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, and both clubs have the advantage of Champions League football and stronger recent track records of success.

For United, who failed to qualify for Europe this season, persuading the 26-year-old may require a convincing long-term project pitch.

Amorim is expected to push for reinforcements, but the competition underscores the scale of the challenge.

Risk and reward

Upamecano’s qualities are not in doubt. He is strong, fast, dominant in the air, and possesses the physicality suited to the Premier League.

At his best, he would be a major upgrade to United’s defensive line.

However, his persistent fitness problems remain a concern. He has struggled to complete a season injury-free, and offering him a hefty salary package could be a gamble for a club already burned by costly contracts in the past.

The bigger picture

Manchester United’s pursuit of Upamecano reflects their intent to arm Amorim with elite-level talent as the squad rebuild continues. But while the opportunity to land a world-class defender for free is enticing, United must weigh the risks of his injury record and the challenge of beating Real Madrid and PSG to his signature.