Nagelsmann responds to Upamecano transfer speculation amid links to Bayern | OneFootball

RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has responded to Bayern Munich’s public declaration of interest in Dayot Upamecano.

Earlier this week, Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed the European champions were interested in Upamecano and could consider signing him in the summer.

David Alaba is most likely on his way to Real Madrid at the end of the season, and Bayern have shortlisted the Leipzig defender as a potential replacement.

Rummenigge admitted that no move would happen before the summer, with the Bundesliga giants facing fierce competition from Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United for the 22-year-old.

“Upamecano could leave when the season ends”

Nagelsmann admitted at the start of the season that he wasn’t sure if Upamecano would stay at the club beyond the end of the current campaign, and the potentially unsettling comments made by Rummenigge weren’t lost on the Leipzig coach.

“It is clever if you want to cause trouble,” Nagelsmann admitted. “But nobody is getting restless with us now.

“We know what the contractual situation with Upa looks like. And we know that we like to have him with us, but we also know how the mechanisms are in football.

“He’s a very fine person who takes things in and wants to improve and has his heart in the right place. He will also perform better and be more focused than against Union.”

Leipzig are Bayern’s closest rivals on the league table this season, but have dropped points in recent weeks against Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg.

Bayern’s win over Augsburg during the midweek extended their lead at the top of the table by four points.