The sporting importance of Dayot Upamecano for FC Bayern is undisputed, but a contract extension is still a long time coming. While the central defender is currently absent due to illness, intensive negotiations are continuing in the background – with an open outcome, but a clear tendency
Minjae Kim already has the chance to make amends on Saturday. Following his yellow card in the 2-0 Champions League win against Union Saint-Gilloise, the South Korean is suspended from international duty but will be fully fit for the Bundesliga. And that is urgently needed for FC Bayern
Dayot Upamecano will in all likelihood also be missing for the record champions in the derby against FC Augsburg. The Frenchman already had to miss out during the week due to illness and there are no signs of him returning quickly. „He’s ill. Unfortunately, he’s still out,“ explained FCB coach Vincent Kompany at the matchday press conference on Friday
The trend is clear: Kim is likely to start in place of Upamecano again – and try to make up for the unfortunate sending-off in the Premier League. The centre-back was visibly annoyed after the incident, complained to the referee and then apologized to his teammates
Contract talks underway – details put the brakes on
While Kim is busy on the pitch, Upamecano is currently watching the games from home – and is still part of one of the most important topics at Säbener Straße. The 27-year-old’s desired contract extension is still a long time coming
A quick agreement had actually been expected after the public statements made by board boss Jan-Christian Dreesen at the start of the year. „It’s not getting any better,“ Dreesen said at the time in the player’s direction. However, the deal has not yet been finalized
Eberl is outwardly calm about Upamecano
Max Eberl is being decidedly calm on the outside. „We’ll talk to him and then we’ll announce it when there’s something to announce – in whatever direction. We’ll sort it out internally,“ explained the sporting director recently. Behind the scenes, there are apparently only two points at stake
Upamecano: Contract causes discussions
According to information from the Abendzeitung München, there are two key points: firstly, the term of the new contract. There is discussion as to whether Upamecano will sign until 2030 or even 2031. Secondly, the exit clause is causing a lot of discussion. The player’s side would like to anchor this from 2027, while FC Bayern would prefer an arrangement from 2028 at the earliest
In financial terms, on the other hand, there already seems to be agreement: both sides are on the same page when it comes to salary and hand money, both of which are said to be in the region of €20 million
Everything points to the fact that it is only a matter of time before the contract is extended. A breakdown in talks would be a real surprise at present – even if the patience of Bayern fans is slowly coming to an end.