Did FC Bayern financially outduel PSG?
Upamecano too expensive for PSG (PSG Talk)
By now, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Dayot Upamecano will extend his contract and get a pretty sweet (for him) deal from Bayern Munich.
Before that was deemed inevitable, though, Paris Saint-Germain was in the mix for the French center-back, until it was determined he was too expensive for the Ligue1 powerhouse. Yes…too expensive for PSG! This is what we know:
RMC Sport reports that PSG wanted to sign Upamecano but deemed the deal too expensive. The defender is now expected to extend his contract with Bayern Munich on a salary of around €20 million per year.
On the latest episode of After Foot, pundit Kevin Diaz stated that the Ligue 1 side need to ensure that they land Upamecano or Konaté if both decide not to sign contract extensions with their current clubs and look at other options.
“If I were a PSG supporter, I’d really like to see Konaté or Upamecano at PSG,” Diaz said (h/t Le10Sport). “That would be very good alongside Pacho. A French player, an international, a guy from the Paris region.
“Konaté has done some good things with Liverpool and would be a solid pickup, even if form has dipped a bit in recent months. Upamecano, on the other hand, is really at the top of his game right now.”
Bayern, City among clubs battling for Kayode (CaughtOffside)
This one could be flying under the radar a bit, but Bayern Munich is rumored to be one of the clubs in the running for Brentford right-back Michael Kayode:
Brentford star Michael Kayode has become one of the most in-demand young defenders in Europe following his impressive season in the Premier League.
Among the interested parties, Manchester City are emerging as the most serious suitors, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside. City have been tracking Kayode closely, impressed by his defensive composure and ability to join in attack. Right now, City are using Matheus Nunes in the right-back position, even though he is naturally a midfielder. However, City are far from alone. Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Inter Milan have all been monitoring Kayode’s development.
His rise has also kept him on the radar of Newcastle United, who were interested during his time at Fiorentina, and Tottenham Hotspur, who have maintained a long-standing admiration for the player. Brentford secured Kayode from Fiorentina last summer, initially on loan before making the deal permanent for a fee believed to be between £17-18 million. In the space of just a few months, his market value has soared.
One the surface, this seems unlikely as Bayern Munich is actually looking to shed a right-back (Sacha Boey) right now and has two other good options at the position in Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanišić.
Maier to leave FC Augsburg (Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg)
Arne Maier could be leaving FC Augsburg:
🚨⚫️🟢 Arne #Maier is expected to leave FC Augsburg in January.
The captain of Germany’s U21 European Championship-winning team in 2021 will be available on a free transfer in the summer, but a move already in the winter window is considered likely.
Clubs from Italy are currently pushing hard to sign him, with Sassuolo among the interested sides, having already tried to bring him in before his move to Augsburg.
Maier never quite lived up the billing he had as a younger player, but has put together a solid career in Germany. Now, it looks like he could be headed abroad.
Kane, Olise, Kimmich earn Team of the Year recognition (WhoScored.com)
Bayern Munich stars Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich were all named to WhoScored.com’s Team of the Year (2025) for Europe’s Top Five Leagues:
A peek into Real’s plans (ESPN)
Real Madrid might be plotting some big moves for the summer and could be on the hunt for a new central midfielder:
AS has offered an insight into Real Madrid’s search for a central midfielder with Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton all being considered. Even so, AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit is the player that Los Blancos are most focused on after he initially caught the attention of their scouts in a UEFA Youth League match back in the 2022-23 campaign. There will be plenty of competition for the 19-year-old from various clubs across Europe.
Villa wants Marmoush (ESPN)
There is some debate on whether or not Omar Marmoush actually wants to leave Manchester City, but if he does, Aston Villa would like to give the former Eintracht Frankfurt star a home:
Aston Villa are interested in signing Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush after Tottenham Hotspur made enquiries about him, according to TEAMtalk. The 26-year-old joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt for around €70 million last January but has only made two Premier League starts and one in the Champions League so far this season. Even so, City aren’t receptive to letting the Egypt international, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, leave halfway through the season.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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Category: General Sports
