The contract extension of Dayot Upamecano at FC Bayern has caused a stir. On SPORT1′ s „Doppelpass“, Markus Babbel put the months-long poker game into perspective and made it clear why the record champions are obviously paying a lot for this deal. Former Bayern captain Stefan Effenberg sees it the same way
„He has developed extremely positively in the last two years,“ emphasized the 1996 European champion. Especially in his early days in Munich, Upamecano repeatedly struggled with individual mistakes, „but he has largely eliminated them.“ For Babbel, there is therefore no question that the centre-back is now one of the absolute key players
The former Bayern professional pointed out that the talks about an extension had dragged on for a long time. During this phase, the club had of course also looked around on the market. Anything else would have been „negligent“ in his view. In the end, however, they had come to the conclusion that they already had the best candidate in their own squad
„FC Bayern are totally convinced by him and then you have to extend your contract with him,“ Babbel explained. He continued: „They then decided that they already had the best. He knows the club and they know what they have in him. Then you can only congratulate FC Bayern, because a player like that is highly sought-after in Europe.“
Effenberg agrees with Babbel on Upamecano
The fact that the extension was possibly expensive is hardly surprising in this context. In recent weeks, reports have circulated about a high hand money and a significantly increased annual salary of around €20 million gross per year. There was also talk of a possible exit clause. The club did not comment on this officially
However, Babbel does not see this as a problem, but rather a strategic necessity. „They will have a financial framework and Max Eberl will not do this alone, the whole club will decide. The decisive factor is an axis, but that costs a lot,“ he explained
Stefan Effenberg echoed the same sentiment: „You have to pay for the most important players, the axis,“ said the former Bayern captain
By signing Upamecano until 2030, Bayern are sending out a clear signal. The Frenchman is set to form the defensive foundation for the coming years – and is apparently planned internally as the absolute number one in central defense.