RB Leipzig Prepared to Sell Rumoured Liverpool Target Upamecano

Liverpool seemed as though they needed to sign a centre half in the summer when Dejan Lovren departed, but didn’t. Now they seem as though they desperately need to sign one with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the season.

Club connected journalists, though, insist it’s likely they won’t—that the Reds have long-term plans and won’t change course in January. Now, RB Leipzig have reiterated that one potential long-term target might be available come summer.

“We will give up top performers again if it makes financial sense and we can maintain sporting quality,” Leipzig director Oliver Mintzlaff told Bild when asked about future sales—and if Joško Gvardiol was signed to replace Dayot Upamecano.

Upamecano has been linked with the Reds since last summer, with the 22-year-old French centre half seen by many as one of the top young players at his position in the game, but Leipzig have made it clear they’re not ready to sell just yet.

It’s clear, though, that Leipzig see the 18-year-old Gvardiol as a key player for the future after signing him for €16M plus add-ons from Dinamo Zagreb last September and immediately loaning him back to the Croatian club he grew up at.

He will arrive at Leipzig next summer and a more established player will be expected depart on a high fee to make room for him. While it may not be certain that someone will be Upamecano, the rising French star is the clear and obvious option.

“When I think of Werner, Cunha, Keïta, or Demme, we have already sold a lot and still developed further in terms of sport,” Mintzlaff added of Leipzig’s approach. “Overall we have invested a lot in our team, but we create value our way.”