Bayern running SCARED as Liverpool plan to secure deal for star man

Liverpool have got a few problems to solve in the centre-back sector.

Ibrahima Konate is out of contract in 2026 - with no resolution in sight over a new deal. And right now the 26-year-old is one of only THREE senior fit options that Arne Slot has at his disposal for the crisis-hit Premier League champions.

The others are Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez - with newly-signed Giovanni Leoni injured for up to a year after tearing an ACL on debut.

Liverpool's centre-back predicament

The Reds’ failure to land Marc Guehi in a transfer deadline day deal looks all the worse in hindsight - with the title-holders losing FOUR matches on the spin in the top flight.

Liverpool are going to have to take drastic action at centre-back in transfer windows upcoming - as both Van Dijk and Gomez are currently slated to leave the club in 2027.

That’s why several names have been linked - including Ronald Araujo, Jan Paul van Hecke and Nico Schlotterbeck. But Liverpool could also come back in for a 2026 free agent - and it’s not Guehi this time.

Liverpool seeking Upamecano deal

Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano is set to be one of the most hotly-contested free agents of the market next summer - with his current deal due to expire in 2026.

It’s by no means certain that the France international will decline Bayern’s offer of a renewal - but the longer it goes on without a signature the more concerned the German record champions will be.

Upamecano will be entitled to speak to potentially interested overseas clubs about a Bosman deal in January and according to Graeme Bailey in TBR Football Liverpool will be in the mix.

Bayern worried about Upamecano fate

“Speaking to sources at a couple of Premier League clubs, they actually believe Upamecano is more likely to stay than leave, but I can tell you Bayern are really worried that Upamecano will have offers presented to him in early 2026 if an agreement with Bayern is not reached,” he says.

“And Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are all very much in the mix for him, they all rate him highly.”

Upemecano is not the only Bayern star Liverpool have got their eyes on - with star forward Michael Olise being eyed as a potential replacement for 33-year-old winger Mohamed Salah.

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