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21-year-old French centre back on Tottenham’s transfer hit list

By Gary Pearson

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Dayot Upamecano of RB Leipzig and Tomas Rogic of Celtic battle for possession during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Celtic and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 8, 2018 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Dayot Upamecano of RB Leipzig and Tomas Rogic of Celtic battle for possession during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Celtic and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 8, 2018 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham are reportedly keen on battling Arsenal to sign RB Leipzig’s centre back Dayot Upamecano, who comes with a £50 million price tag. 

The Express published the piece yesterday, with football journalist Konstntinos Lianos saying Tottenham aren’t phased by the Frenchman’s lofty price tag. You wouldn’t think Leipzig would be amenable to selling their star centre back, especially with the Bundesliga side’s Round-Of-16 Champions League encounter with Spurs beckoning.

Unsurprisingly Lianos doesn’t reveal any sources for the rumours.

A major factor in Leipzig’s meteoric rise, Upamecano is likened to a young Gerard Piqué. Heads turn when anyone is compared to Pique, particularly to a centre back who is just 21. WhoScored.com highlights his tackling nous and ability to intercept threatening attacks as his principal assets. With no discernible weakness, Upamecano is gaining credence in football circles worldwide.

Leipzig won’t sell their prized asset for anything less than £50 million, a fair asking price for a 21-year-old with such an impressive CV.

You can be sure Leipzig won’t relinquish Upamecano without first replacing the wunderkind. The Express seems to think Leipzig must land PSG’s Tanguy Kouassi before allowing Upamecano to venture elsewhere.

Arsenal and Manchester City are seen as the favourites to land Upamecano’s signature, but Tottenham, if the reports are substantiated, is in the running.

An investment for the present and future, Upamecano would offer Tottenham a stable defensive force. Like Sánchez, the Frenchman is still rugged and raw, requiring time to mature.

Combined with Davinson Sánchez, who is still only 23, the two quintessential athletes could form an impenetrable duo at the heart of Spurs rearguard after Toby hangs up his boots. Until then, it would be a fantastic luxury to have three excellent centre backs competing for two places.

Next. Tottenham still interested in 19-year-old right back despite increased fee. dark

While a nice thought, I don’t see Leipzig coughing up their marquee defender to the side they face in the Champions League knockout stage. That would be akin to the German side signing their own death warrant.