Chelsea and city rivals Arsenal are both set to make a swoop for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano. The Premier League giants are both in the hunt for UCL qualification which could play a part in their ability to land the French defender.
The 21-year-old star has played a starring role in Leipzig’s Bundesliga title challenge this term with both Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta on the look out for reinforcements at the back.
The Mirror have stated that the Blues have made Upamecano their top transfer target ahead what promises to be an active summer, with Chelsea ready to spend after choosing not to last month. The former RB Salzburg defender cost his current club just £9 million in 2017 with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2021.
That puts chief Julian Nagelsmann in a difficult position where he could be forced to allow the star to leave early rather than see the Frenchman walk away for nothing.
Lampard saw his side humbled at home versus Bayern Munich on Tuesday as the Blues fell to a 3-0 defeat thanks to Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry. The club were urged after that clash to start preparing for five new signings, which could help Chelsea close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool next time campaign.
Former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves told BT Sport: “At least four or five [signings] – not just quantity but quality.
“Real quality players who can make the difference. Every Bayern Munich player made a difference today at some point in the game.
“Frank had too many players who haven’t played enough football – whether it’s [Ross] Barkley or [Olivier] Giroud.”