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Manchester United will activate Dayot Upamecano’s £ 38 million release clause next summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to beef up his defensive options.
United have had their eyes on the 24-year-old for some time, having previously invited him to Old Trafford for a club tour in 2015 before moving from Valenciennes to Red Bull Salzburg at age 16 for £ 2 million.
Having signed a new contract until 2023 with his current club, RB Leipzig, Upamecano’s relatively small buy-out clause will kick in next summer, allowing Solskjaer to rekindle his long-standing interest in the defender.
According to The Times, Upamecano’s release clause will be activated during next year’s summer transfer window for £ 7 million less than the previous one, allowing a large number of high-level clubs to have time to prepare a transfer.
Solskjaer will be looking to get ahead of the group as he requires defensive stability within his Manchester United squad.
Upamecano is a dynamic and confident defender who excels when playing in the counter-attacking style that Solskjaer displays.
The Reds coach will have the opportunity to see Upamecano in action as the Red Devils face Leipzig in Wednesday’s Champions League game.
Having previously denied claims that he was trying to sign Upamecano, Solskjaer claimed that he refused to respond to speculation out of respect for Leipzig, but insists he will be watching the defender ‘closely’ on Wednesday.
Solskjaer said: ‘I have always tried to respect that they are players from other teams and I do not want to comment on all the players with whom we are linked, but as tomorrow he will play against us, I know he is a very good player, so I can see him closely. .
Upamecano has participated 120 times with Leipzig since joining Red Bull Salzburg in January 2017.
Upamecano’s impressive form for Leipzig has earned him the attention of the European elite.
Yet it is still Manchester United who are leading the charge for football’s most coveted young defenders.
United currently have six senior center-backs on the first-team squad, but have shown no defensive stability.
Harry Maguire, who joined for a world record fee for a defender – £ 80 million – in 2019, has had a torrid moment recently at the heart of United’s defense, while players such as £ 31 million Victor Lindelof and £ 27 million Luke Shaw are flattering to cheat, having made both costly mistakes in recent Premier League losses.
If Solskjaer signs Upamecano, he will hope that his defensive woes will finally end.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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