Football
Exclusive: Crystal Palace Target Bayern Star Dayot Upamecano as Marc Guehi Replacement
Crystal Palace are targeting Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano to replace Marc Guehi. The French international's contract expires next summer, and Palace are eager to secure his signature. Upamecano is a proven winner with Bayern and has attracted interest from top clubs, including Manchester United. Palace boss Oliver Glasner is keen on signing the defender and is making efforts to bring him to the Premier League.
TSG Hoffenheim vs FC Bayern München- 1. Bundesliga by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Crystal Palace are eyeing up Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano as the perfect replacement for Marc Guehi, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
England defender Guehi looks destined to leave Selhurst Park with Premier League champions Liverpool working on a new deal for when the January transfer window opens.
And the Eagles are wasting no time in trying to find a replacement, with 26-year-old Upamecano high on their priority list.
Upamecano’s current deal runs out next summer and Palace are quietly confident they can tempt the experienced France international to come and play in the Premier League.
The towering 6ft 1” defender has earnt himself an impressive reputation for some starring performances for Bayern in the German Bundesliga.
Upamecano is now enjoying his fifth season with the club in the German top-flight, having been a mainstay of the side since joining the club from RP Leipzig in February 2021 on a five-year deal, with the contract effective from 1 July the same year.
PROVEN WINNER
The 32-cap international has won the Bundesliga crown three of the last four years with Bayern, as well as having won the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup on three occasions.
He helped his country win the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and was a runner-up with France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Our sources have learnt a number of top clubs have been monitoring Upamecano’s contract situation, with Bayern understood to be keen to offer the player a new deal.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for the sought-after defender, but Palace boss Oliver Glasner is believed to be a big fan of the player and has instructed his recruitment team to do everything in their power to try and sign Upamecano.
Upamecano has made 354 career appearances to date and played 108 times for Bayern in the Bundesliga.
He has played a total of 220 games in the Bundesliga throughout his career, having played 112 times for former club Leipzig before his big-money move to Bayern.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.