Manchester United ‘missed out on signing RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano after a row over just £200,000’ when the £55m-rated defender was 16 at French side Valenciennes
- Man United missed out on Dayot Upamecano because of a row over just £200k
- The Red Devils would only pay £500,000 for him from Valenciennes in 2015
- Now the RB Leipzig star is worth £55million and a sought after centre-back
Manchester United missed out on signing Dayot Upamecano because of a row over just £200,000, according to the Sun.
RB Leipzig signed the French defender for £9million back in 2017 and he is now valued at around £55million and is one of the most sought after centre-backs in world football.
But, Upamecano could have been playing for the Red Devils in the Premier League if they hadn’t haggled over £200,000 five years ago with his former club Valenciennes.
Manchester United missed out on signing Dayot Upamecano because of a row over just £200k
United chiefs only wanted to pay £500,000 and sent him home after a deal could not be made
The defender was at Old Trafford with his mum five years ago to close a deal and finalise his move to the Premier League club, however, it fell through over a small sum of money.
As a 16-year-old, Upamecano almost achieved his dream of signing for one of Europe’s elite only for it to crash and burn in the final stages.
He returned back to France annoyed with United’s chiefs as they remained adamant they would only pay £500,000, despite the French side wanting £700,000.
United thought that the fee was too much money, despite Upamecano already impressing in the France Under 16 and Under 17 sides.
Two years later he joined RB Leipzig for £9million and is now valued at around £55million
A close source told the Sun: ‘Dayot wanted to join United and the fee really was nothing.
‘At first he got the red-carpet treatment but then they would not go that bit further with their offer and he was gone.’
Two weeks later, Red Bull Salzburg signed the defender for the asking price as he began his professional career.
Since missing out on Upamecano, United have invested a lot of money into improving their defence but current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still suffering from defensive mishaps.
£80million signing Harry Maguire is struggling at the heart of the United defence whilst players such as Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are flattering to deceive having both made costly errors in recent Premier League defeats.
Current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still suffering from defensive mishaps despite spending
£80million signing Harry Maguire is struggling at the heart of the United defence
Eric Bailly, who cost United £30million back in 2016, has been injured for over 300 days of his Old Trafford career and is currently sidelined for another month.
Players such as Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have fallen out of favour in recent seasons and United’s business has not seen them become a defensively sound outfit.
Manchester United’s recent 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham shone a light on their defensive woes.
Meanwhile, Upamecano has been part of an RB Leipzig side at the top of the Bundesliga this season having conceded just three goals in five matches.
And now the French defender will face up against the side who snubbed him after giving him the ‘red carpet treatment’ on Wednesday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side host RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
