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Barcelona hold secret talks with wanted European defender

By Nishant Narayanan

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 19: Dayot Upamecano of Leipzig challenges Jadon Sancho of Dortmund during the first Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on January 19, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland-Wissel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 19: Dayot Upamecano of Leipzig challenges Jadon Sancho of Dortmund during the first Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on January 19, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland-Wissel/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona are interested in a summer move for RB Leipzig defender, Dayot Upamecano, and have held a secret meeting, amid interests from many Premier League giants.

Frenchman Samuel Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 and immediately became a key member of the Barca defense alongside Gerard Pique. He became known as one of the best central defenders in the football world but due to repetitive knee injuries over the recent years, he has lost his relevance and has been replaced by fellow countryman Clement Lenglet.

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 Eldesmarque reports that Umtiti has become frustrated with the lack of minutes at the Camp Nou and wants to leave at the end of the season. Barca have actively been on a lookout for bringing defensive reinforcements in the summer as an attempt to find a long-term replacement for 32-year-old Pique. The Spanish international has been the main man for the Centre-defender role since the departure of Legendary, Carles Puyol.

With Umititi’s likely departure in the summer transfer market, and Pique nearing the inevitable end of his career, the Catalan giants have reportedly approached a possible replacement for the upcoming season.

RB Leipzig center-back, Dayot Upamecano has been under Blaugrana radar for few years and is now said to be an official transfer target for the Spanish champions. Barca have reportedly held a secret meeting with the German club as they are keen to bring Dayot as a defensive reinforcement.

The 21-year-old has the potential to become a consistent and reliable player for Barcelona. He is known for having good control of the ball along with being a pacy defender, a quality not many central defenders have.

Arsenal, however, are said to be strongly linked with the defender, and are planning to repursue the star defender after having a previously €60 million bid rejected by the Bundesliga giants. The German club wanted Arsenal to include Emile Smith Rowe in the deal [according to football.london], an attacking midfielder who has been a loanee at RB Leipzig. But the London side had no intention of parting ways with Smith and insisted on a cash-only deal.

The Boot Room has reported that Tottenham are also interested in the French defender along with Manchester City (via Mirror), where Pep Guardiola is said to be planning a hijack move for Arsenal’s target in January.

L’Equipe (via The Sun) has claimed that Upamecano’s current €80 million release clause will be reduced to €60 million this summer. It remains to be seen if Barca managed to come to an agreement with the German club for a summer transfer of Upamecano.

Next. Juventus make improved offer for Barcelona full back. dark

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