It’s Arsenal and not Barcelona who are currently leading the race to sign 21-year-old defender Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig this summer – as per reports.
Up until now, it was Barcelona who were being considered the favourites to land the French U21 international but now the tables have turned thanks to the new restrictions put in place by the La Liga.
Recently, La Liga president Javier Tebas had made it clear that clubs will not be allowed to spend absurd amounts of money in the transfer market meaning they will now have to look to their academy players for inspiration.
“We have seen the cash flows for each club and right now they have squads which exceed the [financial] limits we will establish for next season,” Tebas said as reported by Football London.
“That brings consequences. Clubs are going to have to look at their academies and come up with a strategy to reduce salaries. There’s no other solution.
“Transfers that exceed financial limits will not be allowed – impossible.”
Arsenal the favourites to land Upamecano?
Barcelona are already in talks to sign Lautaro Martinez over a huge transfer deal and as per reports, the Leipzig defender has a release clause of around £55 million meaning, the Catalans might have no other option but to pull the plug on this deal.
And if true then this decision will surely benefit Premier League side Arsenal since Mikel Arteta is really eager to add a strong central defender to his ranks before the upcoming season.
Timo Werner had recently claimed that his club-mate has the talent to be as good as Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng.
“I’ve not seen a faster centre-back, and Dayot has an unbelievable physique. He can become as good as Jerome Boating if he can keep improving.” Werner has predicted.
And given the performances he’s put in so far this season, we are sure Upamecano will be the perfect partner to someone like William Saliba next season.
£55 million is still a massive transfer fee for the Gunners but before they can seriously think about making a move for Dayot Upamecano, the North London side will have to try and secure a Champions League spot next season.
