Liverpool weigh free-transfer move for Bayern defender as contract talks stall

Liverpool are weighing the option of signing a Bundesliga defender on a free transfer at the end of the season as they look to reinforce their back line without a transfer fee. Dayot Upamecano, 26, is reported to be out of contract at Bayern Munich in June, and talks over a new deal have begun but remain unresolved, according to reports cited by The Mirror.

Upamecano's situation has placed him on Liverpool's radar after the Reds came up just short on deadline day in their pursuit of Marc Guehi, with Crystal Palace pulling the plug on a £35 million move because Guehi would be able to move for free next summer. The defender from Bayern is said to have attracted interest from Liverpool, and Real Madrid is also among potential suitors if he decides to leave Bayern.

Upamecano has featured six times this season in Bayern’s central-defensive line. Since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021, he has made nearly 200 appearances for the German champions and is valued at around £44 million, according to reports cited by The Mirror. Whether Bayern can persuade him to sign a new contract remains unclear, and a new round of discussions is said to be planned soon to map out Next steps, including the possibility of negotiations with foreign clubs in January if needed.

Real Madrid are thought to be among the sides monitoring the situation, adding to the sense that a number of European giants could pursue a free transfer for a defender of Upamecano’s profile if he reaches the end of his contract. Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to assess their center-back options after missing out on Guehi and seeing other defensive targets drift away during the summer window. Klopp’s squad currently includes Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as established starters, with Joe Gomez’s future still uncertain as he nears the end of his contract and the situation around Konaté’s deal also in play next year. Giovanni Leoni, who joined the Reds in the window, has suffered an ACL injury, potentially impacting depth at the back.

The dynamics around Upamecano’s contract situation underscore Liverpool’s broader strategy of pursuing value and flexibility in an area that has historically been a priority. A source familiar with the club’s thinking noted that the Reds have long kept an eye on free-transfer opportunities, particularly for players who are established at top clubs but available without a transfer fee. As talks at Bayern continue to evolve, Liverpool’s interest could hinge on whether a deal can be structured to fit into their long-term plan for a compact, high-intensity defense that can compete on multiple fronts across domestic and European competition.

If Upamecano moves elsewhere or remains in limbo, Liverpool’s next steps could involve revisiting other free-agent targets or accelerating plans to refresh their swarm of center-backs ahead of the next transfer window. The coming weeks will be telling as clubs weigh long-term futures and the strategic value of free signings in a market where fee budgets are stretched and contract terminations can alter the balance of power.