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Real Madrid are ready to splash €20m signing bonus for Manchester United defensive target

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 12:05 PM ET

Real Madrid are ready to beat Manchester United to Dayot Upamecano

Manchester United have tracked Dayot Upamecano for months. They know his future at Bayern Munich remains uncertain. The French defender once stood among Europe’s most reliable centre-backs, but now he faces a career crossroads. Real Madrid now push to make a move ahead of everyone.

In this scenario, Spanish outlet Fichajes report that the Spanish giants have placed Upamecano at the top of their defensive wishlist. His current deal with Bayern ends in the summer of 2026. However, Bayern Munich and the player have stopped talks over the 26-year-old’s signing fee.

Meanwhile, journalist Christian Falk earlier reported that “There is a kind of agreement between Bayern and Upamecano about a base salary, as he’s going to be a free agent in the summer, but there is always a signing fee! And the signing fee is a problem in these talks.” Bayern hesitated because Alphonso Davies signed a similar deal last year worth around €20m–22m, and Upamecano now demands the same treatment.

Real Madrid view this gap in communication as a perfect chance to plan a move with minimal transfer costs. They plan to act once the player becomes available without a fee. Reports say the club will offer between €20m and €25m as a signing bonus, which Bayern can’t match. The Madrid board believe that if they can sign him for free in 2026, it will save millions, even with high wages and bonuses. The Los Blancos want to pair the Frenchman with Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger to build a stronger and faster backline.

Why Real Madrid may win this battle?

Dayot Upamecano built his reputation at Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich. He possesses the pace, power, and defensive awareness. Upamecano’s skill set will suit teams that play with a high defensive line. He completed 93.2% of his passes in the current Bundesliga season and has shown how calm he stays under pressure.

Yet Upamecano still makes mistakes. His aggressive style leaves spaces behind him, and his focus sometimes drops, leading to penalties and cards, including a red card in February 2024. Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United need a centre-back like him, who is quick, composed, and confident with the ball.

However, Real Madrid’s pull will possibly outweigh any of Old Trafford’s appeal. The Spanish giants offer prestige, stability, and the chance for him to reunite with Kylian Mbappé. Upamecano might prefer a move to Madrid, admire their hunger for trophies and their dominance in Europe. If Bayern refuse his demands, he will likely move to Spain. Real Madrid sense their timing perfectly. They don’t chase a free agent; they exploit Bayern’s failure to handle the situation.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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