On Sunday, RB Leipzig confirmed Dayot Upamecano will be moving to Bayern Munich in the summer.
The defender was expected to join the treble winners ever since their leaders went public about their interest in signing him.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea were named as clubs wanting to take the centre-back by the German press, trying to add some drama to the situation.
Last weekend, L’Equipe reported the 22-year-old had decided to join the Bavarian club despite interest from ‘Liverpool in particular’.
Sportbuzzer interviewed Dietmar Hamann and the former Reds midfielder was asked if the Frenchman made the right decision to join Hansi Flick’s side.
Responding to that, Hamann stated sporting projects convinced Upamecano to pick Bayern over other clubs, including the English champions.
“I don’t think money was the deciding factor since the offers should not have taken much. Basically, I think it’s good that such a great boy is staying in the Bundesliga,” he said.
“Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea might have been the bigger challenge for Upamecano. But with these clubs he would not have been guaranteed to play in the Champions League next season. At Bayern you know that in five years you will be champion at least four times.”
When specifically asked what would have happened if Upamecano decided to try a new adventure in the Premier League, Hamann explained: “Bayern would have had a big problem. David Alaba leaves Bavaria, Jerome Boateng’s future is uncertain.
“The Bavarians are dependent on a man like Upamecano. He brings pace to the defence. And you need pace when you attack as high as Bayern.
“For me, Upamecano is the best central defender in the Bundesliga and, behind Virgil van Dijk, one of the best in the world. He’s only 22, he’s fast as hell and is one of the few defenders who likes to play well against Robert Lewandowski.”
Liverpool will experience first hand Upamecano’s qualities when they face RB Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie on Tuesday.
