Liverpool eye free-transfer option from Bayern Munich as Upamecano contract status remains unresolved

Liverpool are evaluating a potential free-transfer option from the Bundesliga, focusing on a centre-back whose contract at Bayern Munich runs out at the end of the season. Dayot Upamecano, 26, is yet to agree a new deal and figures into Liverpool’s wider planning as they look to shore up defensive options for next season. The Reds have already spent heavily this summer, with reports estimating outlays above £300 million on new signings such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez as they pursue a title defense across domestic and European competition.

Liverpool’s interest in Upamecano comes amid interest from Real Madrid and ongoing uncertainty over Bayern’s contract talks. Upamecano has started six times this season for Bayern and remains a key figure in their back line, but his future could hinge on whether Bayern can agree fresh terms before the window for negotiations with foreign clubs opens in January. The club’s market activity has intensified in recent weeks as Liverpool seek to add depth at centre-back after missing out on a deal for Marc Guehi on deadline day.

Liverpool currently roster four senior centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, with Joe Gomez’s future also under scrutiny. Konate’s own contract is due to expire next year, and links to Real Madrid have circulated in the media. Giovanni Leoni, who joined the Reds in the latest window, has suffered an ACL injury, a development that heightens urgency for defensive reinforcements. The combination of a crowded market for centre-backs and Liverpool’s need for a long-term option has kept Upamecano’s name in the frame as a potential free transfer target this summer.

Upamecano’s value has been cited around £44 million in some reports, though the free-transfer angle would sidestep a transfer fee if a deal with Bayern or another club is finalized later in the season. Bayern have not yet secured a new contract with the player, and discussions are described as ongoing but without an agreement. Real Madrid are among the clubs mentioned as possible bidders if Upamecano seeks a move, adding to a growing field of heavyweights looking to bolster central defense ahead of next season.

Guehi’s near-miss at the end of the summer window remains a reminder of Liverpool’s approach: chase bargains when possible, but be prepared to pivot if a top target becomes available on a free. The club’s activity this summer, alongside persistent talk of a potential free transfer in the next window, illustrates a broader strategy to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term squad planning. As talks with Bayern continue, Liverpool are expected to monitor the situation closely in the coming months while evaluating options across Europe.

The ongoing situation underscores the difficulty of securing elite centre-backs in a market that has already seen substantial investment by Liverpool and rival clubs. If Upamecano becomes available on a free or at a reduced cost, the Reds would likely face competition from Madrid and other European giants, making diligence and timing crucial as the next transfer window approaches.

For now, Liverpool remain focused on defense as part of a broader plan to sustain momentum after a record-breaking summer. The club has shown a willingness to pursue high-caliber talent without paying over the odds, while also preparing for the possibility that some signings may come at little to no transfer cost if players exit on free transfers at season’s end. The evolving talks with Bayern, along with external interest from Real Madrid, will shape Liverpool’s strategic choices in the weeks ahead.