Centre-back contract deal will cost Richard Hughes JAW-DROPPING signing-on fee

Liverpool are set for a centre-back shakeup. In fact that process can be said to have begun last summer - when Jarell Quansah left and Giovanni Leoni was signed instead.

Quansah earned the club around £30m in a deal with Bayer Leverkusen while 18-year-old Leoni was acquired from Parma for an initial £26m.

The Reds are currently short in the area - due to Leoni’s injury and their inability to land Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day. But next summer will bring even MORE changes.

Ibrahima Konate has still not signed a new contract - and if no agreement is reached then he will be leaving for free in 2026.

Liverpool have got Upamecano on the list

Joe Gomez is also under threat. AC Milan are interested and sporting director Richard Hughes would be keen to bank a fee rather than lose the England man for nothing in 2027.

And that’s why we’ve seen links with several star defenders - not only Guehi but also Ronald Araujo and Nico Schlotterbeck. But there is the intriguing possibility of Liverpool adding Konate’s France teammate in Dayot Upamecano.

The 26-year-old is locked in a contract stalemate with Bayern Munich. Like Konate he is out of contract in 2026 and Liverpool - as well as Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea - want him on a Bosman.

That is according to a new report from SPORTBILD - which claims that financial issues are causing the centre-back and his current club a certain degree of friction.

Upamecano wants £15m signing-on fee

Although the Frenchman is happy in Bavaria, he is seeking to be paid what he feels he’s worth.

Bayern tied up a money-spinning renewal for Champions League winner Alphonso Davies earlier this year in spite of heavy interest from Real Madrid but it cost them a blockbuster €17m (£15m) signing-on fee.

That is the kind of money Upamecano is seeking for a renewal and he wants a significant uplift in wages too. Currently, Upamecano is earning some €16m including bonuses and BILD reckons a new deal will see him make that much on his basic wage.

These are very big numbers and it remains to be seen whether Bayern will be minded to pay them. If not, then Liverpool will be waiting in the wings.

They will have extra room in the budget if they lose Konate - as well as Andy Robertson - on a free.

And Upamecano has been in terrific form under Vincent Kompany - meaning Arne Slot could add a world-class centre-back for no upfront fee - albeit with mighty wages.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right-back and he's the best in the world

👉🏻 Marc Guehi is COMING: Liverpool will agree deal to sign England star

👉🏻 Liverpool legend's son is now an elite centre-back