Liverpool fans know transfer windows are never quiet at Anfield, but this season the noise has started even before January has arrived. A new name is now being linked with the club, a name that carries weight in European football, a name that instantly reminds fans of power, strength, and top-level defending. Liverpool have officially been linked with Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano, a player on £168,000-a-week in Germany but one whose contract is running down, and one who could become available for free in the summer. Reports suggest Liverpool are now preparing to enter the race, and when you look at the situation at Anfield, it makes perfect sense why this story has exploded.
The Reds are in a strange place. They spent more than £400million in the summer transfer window, reshaping the squad under new manager Arne Slot. Midfield was the main focus, and Liverpool went all in on attacking and controlling the middle of the pitch. But the one big issue that fans and experts kept pointing out remained unsolved: centre-back. The club chased Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace right up until the final hours of deadline day, only for Palace to block the move and leave Slot frustrated. Without Guehi, the defensive situation became fragile. The squad had Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni, the promising 18-year-old from Italy. On paper, four names looked enough. But football is never played on paper.
Just days after the window closed, disaster struck. Giovanni Leoni picked up a season-ending ACL injury during the Carabao Cup win over Southampton. At just 18, his breakthrough season at Liverpool was destroyed before it could even begin. Arne Slot admitted it was heartbreaking for the teenager, and suddenly Liverpool were down to three senior centre-backs. Van Dijk remains the leader but is now in the final stages of his career. Gomez, though talented, has a long history of injuries and inconsistencies. Konate, when fit, looks like one of the best defenders in Europe, but his injury record has left fans nervous for years. It is a puzzle with missing pieces, and Liverpool know if they want to compete at the highest level, they cannot ignore it any longer.
That is why the name Dayot Upamecano has come back into the conversation. According to BILD in Germany, Liverpool have now joined the list of clubs monitoring his situation closely. His contract at Bayern Munich runs out in the summer of 2026, but as things stand, he could walk away for free next summer if Bayern do not extend his deal. The club are still deciding what to do, and this has opened the door for interested teams across Europe. For Liverpool, it feels like destiny. Upamecano is no stranger to Ibrahima Konate. The two formed one of the most powerful young defensive partnerships in Europe during their time together at RB Leipzig. Their chemistry was natural, their bond on and off the pitch was clear, and they pushed each other to new levels. To reunite them at Anfield would feel like reawakening a partnership that once terrified strikers across the Bundesliga.
The situation also comes at a delicate time for Liverpool themselves. Konate has yet to sign a new contract at Anfield, and there are whispers that Real Madrid are circling, also keeping an eye on Trent Alexander-Arnold as a possible free agent target. The fear of losing Konate while also lacking depth makes signing someone like Upamecano even more attractive. It would be a pre-emptive strike, a way of preparing for the worst while also strengthening the team no matter what happens.
Statistics from last season show why Upamecano is not a downgrade at all. In fact, in several areas, he even outperformed Konate. While Konate played 2,560 minutes, Upamecano managed 1,759. But when you look deeper, Upamecano had 137 progressive passes compared to Konate’s 115, 115 ball recoveries compared to Konate’s 98, and although Konate won more tackles, Upamecano’s consistency in key defensive actions stood out. His France teammate Lucas Hernandez once described him as a “fantastic player,” and when you combine his physical strength with his ability to play out from the back, it becomes clear why Liverpool are interested.
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Arne Slot’s style also suits a player like Upamecano. Slot wants defenders who are comfortable stepping into midfield, who can defend aggressively but also carry the ball with confidence. He is not afraid to leave defenders one-on-one in transition moments, which is why athleticism and speed are crucial. Van Dijk has been that safety net for years, but as time goes on, Liverpool know they must find the next generation. Konate is part of that, but Upamecano could be another pillar to build on.
The drama around this transfer also comes from the competition. Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Marc Guehi and could be prepared to rival Liverpool there, but if Guehi does not arrive, Upamecano is already seen as an alternative. There is also a twist in the fact that Liverpool themselves could lose Konate to Madrid. Imagine the chaos: Liverpool sign Upamecano as a free agent replacement for Konate, the man who was once his partner in Germany. It would be a circle of irony and drama that only football can deliver.
The financial side of the deal also makes sense. At £168,000-a-week, Upamecano is on a high wage, but if Liverpool can secure him as a free agent, the absence of a transfer fee would balance the books. For FSG and Richard Hughes, who are known for being cautious with money, this would be seen as smart business. It would allow Liverpool to solve a huge squad problem without breaking the bank on another £80m or £100m fee.
Of course, there are risks. Upamecano has not always been consistent at Bayern Munich. In big Champions League games, he has been criticized for mistakes under pressure. Pundits have sometimes accused him of switching off in key moments. But in the right system, with the right partner, his strengths usually outweigh the weaknesses. With Konate or Van Dijk next to him, Liverpool could provide that balance.
The story has also sparked debate among fans. Some argue that Liverpool should go all out for Marc Guehi, a younger option with Premier League experience and years ahead of him. Others believe Upamecano, especially on a free, represents the smarter move, a proven international with experience at the highest level. Both sides have strong points, but what cannot be denied is that Liverpool cannot afford to stand still. The Leoni injury has forced their hand, and January or next summer will demand action.
For Bayern, the decision will also be massive. They could try to tie him down with a new contract, but if they sense he wants to leave or if they want to cash in, January could even bring offers. Liverpool have always worked quietly in the market, and if they smell an opportunity, they will move quickly. The fact that he already knows Konate so well makes it an easier decision. For players, familiarity matters. Walking into a new dressing room is always easier when you already have a friend waiting.
So where does this leave Liverpool? The picture is clear. The defence needs reinforcements. Van Dijk will not go on forever, Gomez cannot be fully trusted, and Konate cannot be left alone to carry the load. Upamecano ticks too many boxes to ignore. He is available, he is proven, he is at the right age, and his history with Konate adds a personal twist that could make Anfield the perfect home for him.
This is not just about numbers and contracts. It is about ambition. Liverpool cannot let their rivals outmuscle them again in the transfer market. They cannot risk another season of defensive injuries costing them trophies. The Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup—these are competitions that demand depth, reliability, and quality at the back. Dayot Upamecano could be the answer, and fans are already dreaming of seeing him walk out at Anfield, reunited with Konate, ready to build the next great Liverpool defence.
The story is still developing, but one thing is certain: this will not go away. From Germany to England, from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, the noise around Upamecano is only getting louder. Liverpool are watching, the scouts are reporting, and Arne Slot is waiting for the chance to add another powerful piece to his squad. The question now is simple—will Liverpool strike in January, or will they wait for the summer to secure what could be the bargain of the decade? Only time will tell, but the feeling in the air is that Anfield could soon welcome another French defender, and this time, it might just be the one who completes the puzzle.
