RB Leipzig center back Dayot Upamecano has decided to commit his future to Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old Frenchmen was linked with Manchester United as well as a brevity of other top English and European clubs. Bayern Munich triggered a €42.5 million release clause and announced that Upamecano will be at the Allianz Arena for the next five years.
It is no surprise that United were linked with a top defender. United have given up 30 goals as of writing this, only Leeds in the top half of the table have given up more. Now that Dayot has signed here are 7 potential targets for United:
- Sergio Ramos
Vamos Sergio! United fans had to celebrate his thrashing of Liverpool in the Champions League final in 2018. The longtime Galactico’s contract runs out this summer and he is free to negotiate with teams as of January. A free signing of this caliber is likely to draw interest of all the top teams in Europe. His wages will be high as well as his age, 35! It is either him or Varane, free with high wages or high fee and high wages?
2. Kalidou Koulibaly-Napoli
Probably the only player who slots right into the starting XI on the list. Koulibaly has been
linked with a transfer away from Napoli for the past couple of windows. His hefty price tag is an obvious detractor with Nepalese side quoting upwards to €90 million for the Senegalese defender. Koulibaly would be the most likeliest of defenders to fix the defensive woes at Old Trafford.
3. Samuel Umtitti-Barcelona
The 27-year-old World Cup champion has only made six league appearances for Barcelona this campaign and had looked likely to leave the Camp Nou this summer. This could be a bargain if Barca signs someone big at his position, they have been linked Koulibaly as well. If the price is right he could provide much need competition for Maguire and Lindelof.
4. Jules Kounde- Sevilla
Easily the most exciting prospect on this list. The French invasion at center back is crazy to see. No other country it seems is pumping out top talent at the position like the French. Kounde is only 22-years-old and already has 100 league appearances in the French league and Spanish league combined. The Europa league champion has been linked with the Red Devils and would be an exciting addition, but he comes at a steep price, around €55 million. Harry Maguire cost €80 mil, so it might seem like nice business if they were to sign one of the Crown Jules of Europe.
5. Ibrahima Konate-RB Leipzig
This list is going to get a lot younger. Ibrahima Konate is only 21-years-old, the teammate of Upamecano has not featured this season in the league for Leipzig, so would they miss him? He is an obvious replacement internally for Leipzig, but they have a pipeline of talent coming from Austria. Salzburg boasts some exciting talent at center back that Leipzig is likely to capitalize on. Konate would be a long term investment for United. These next couple of months will determine the immediate need for a center back. If United figure some things out maybe high rated youth will be answer at the position.
6. Chris Richards-Bayern Munich
Americans are in fashion on the market right now. Bayern Munich will probably make room for the arrival of Upamecano, the departure of David Alaba looks certain, Boateng maybe? Both look destined to places other than Manchester. It is not likely that Bayern would let the young American leave or even United to target him, but the Amad Diallo transfer came out of nowhere. The American is currently on loan at Hoffenheim and has featured this season for both clubs. Richards can play the RCB in a 3-man backline and plays the role that Benjamin Pavard plays for Bayern. Youthfulness and versatility could be tempting for United.
7. Joachim Anderson-Fulham (Lyon)
Fulham sit 18th in the table and surprisingly have only given up one goal more than United, but they cannot score goals, so they languish in the relegation zone. The Dane has been a rock at the back and has taken the armband in the injury absence of team captain Tom Cairney. If Fulham were to get relegated United would have to deal with Anderson’s parent club Lyon.
