Kylian Mbappé stirred headlines during a France press conference ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. The Real Madrid forward was asked about his national teammate, Dayot Upamecano, and his response instantly set tongues wagging. He described the Bayern Munich defender as being in the discussion of the best defenders in the world this season, adding that he is a dominant player with a strong tactical sense and presence in duels.
While praising him, Mbappé’s next line got fans guessing about a possible move. He said in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account:
Upamecano plays for a big club… and there aren’t many bigger, but there are bigger ones.
I can only say… when you talk about a player like him, all clubs will want him.
He’s in the discussion of the best defenders in the world this season.
His remarks quickly spread online, especially after SoftFootball earlier reported that Bayern Munich are desperate to extend Upamecano’s contract amid Real Madrid rumours. Another SoftFootball update revealed Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund insisted Upamecano is happy and will stay with us for a long time.
Despite Bayern’s confidence, sources close to Real Madrid confirm early talks have taken place between Los Blancos and Upamecano’s representatives. His contract expires in June 2026, and the Spanish giants see him as the perfect successor in a defence that includes veterans like Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba. Upamecano’s physical dominance and calmness on the ball fit exactly what Real Madrid are building toward.
Still, Real Madrid are not alone in the chase. Paris Saint-Germain are keen to bring him back to France, while Liverpool are exploring the option as they look beyond Virgil van Dijk’s era. When asked recently, Upamecano only smiled and said:
PSG is a very, very big club, but for now, my mind isn’t on that.
Bayern, meanwhile, remain hopeful. Club president Herbert Hainer said he is cautiously optimistic about keeping him. Mbappé’s influence, though, could shift things, especially as he continues to praise French talents publicly, much like when he hailed Rayan Cherki as a special talent. Whether playful or intentional, his words might just be planting the seed for another Real Madrid reunion.
