Liverpool journalist Matt Addison has revealed why he thinks a potential transfer move from the Reds for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano would be unlikely to happen this summer.
This comes after Addison recently made an appearance on the Liverpool Echo’s Blood Red Podcast where he spoke about a number of topics related to the Merseyside club.
After it was recently reported that Manchester United have registered their interest in signing Upamecano this summer, Addison shared his thoughts on why Liverpool would not be interested in signing the defender.
He said: “Upamecano was one of the players Jesse Marsch picked out when I spoke to him a few months ago that he suggested would be a perfect player for Liverpool. I’m sure a lot of fans will be thinking, why at that price are Liverpool not going in for him and should they be.
“I think the only reason they’re not, probably is Joe Gomez. I think Liverpool have already got an excellent young defender. Would you bring in Upamecano even forgetting the price tag, would you bring in a player of that quality and say to him, he’s not going to be in your first XI week in week out, which, as long as Gomez and [Virgil] Van Dijk are fit, Upamecano would not get into Liverpool’s team at this stage so I think that’s probably the reason why Liverpool won’t be interested.”
The 21-year-old centre-half signed to the German club back in the 2017 January transfer window for a fee of £9 million from RB Salzburg.
Since then, the Frenchman, who is currently valued at £40.5 million, has made a total of 113 appearances for Leipzig in which he has managed to score three goals and provide two assists.
The 2019/20 Bundesliga season saw Upamecano make 28 league appearances for Leipzig in which he earned himself a season rating of 7.06/10 for his performances in those appearances (per WhoScored).
Do you think Liverpool should try and sign Upamecano this summer?
Yes, he'd be great for Liverpool
No, we already have Joe Gomez
TIF Thoughts…
Given how impressive Upamecano was for Leipzig last season, it’s understandable why United would be interested in signing him this summer and adding him to their squad.
With Addison claiming that Liverpool wouldn’t be trying to sign the Frenchman this summer because of Joe Gomez just goes to show how much confidence and belief he has in Gomez to be an important and regular player for the Reds for the foreseeable future.