ARSENAL target Dayot Upamecano has hinted that he will leave RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
The Gunners have been chasing the highly-rated 21-year-old since last summer and it appears likely that he will be departing the German title-chasers.
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The Frenchman has a £50million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract.
And with just 18 months left on the deal, he could go for even less than that in the summer.
Upamecano himself was coy on the speculation in an interview with RMC Sport.
He said: “There are several clubs that want me.
“I will speak with my agents and my parents at the end of the season and we will make the right decision.”
As well as Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are thought to be strongly interested in the imposing centre-back.
The Gunners wanted him in January, but Leipzig wouldn’t budge on their enormous £70million mid-season asking price.
Mikel Arteta’s side instead signed Pablo Mari on loan from Flamengo – but that hasn’t extinguished their interest in Upamecano.
Barcelona, meanwhile, look to set to complete a shock move for former Middlesbrough flop Martin Braithwaite from Leganes.
But come the summer, a centre-back is on the agenda, with Gerard Pique now 33, and Samuel Umtiti not quite the player he was before a series of knee injuries.
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Bayern Munich, currently one point ahead of RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, are also thought to be in the mix as they seek a long-term successor to Jerome Boateng.
Upamecano has been a rock at the back this season, featuring 25 times for Julian Nagelsmann’s side as they fight for Bundesliga and Champions League glory.
He will be seen in North London on Wednesday night, as his side take on Tottenham in the Champions League round of 16.
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