RB Leipzig director Oliver Mintzlaff denies an agreement over a contract extension for Dayot Upamecano, admitting they may sell this summer.

Schalke's Welsh forward Rabbi Matondo and Leipzig's French defender Dayot Upamecano vie for the ball during the German First division Bundesliga football match between FC Schalke 04 and RB Leipzig on February 22, 2020, in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany. (Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN / AFP)
Schalke forward Rabbi Matondo and Leipzigdefender Dayot Upamecano vie for the ball on February 22, 2020. (Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN / AFP)

Reports this week suggested Upamecano would sign a contract extension to 2022. The deal would include a new release clause for the summer of 2021, and secure the defender for at least one more year.

According to Oliver Mintzlaff, these claims are wide of the mark. The Leipzig director insists contract discussions are the least of their worries right now.

“In the Covid 19 crisis, we currently have other issues than concerns about contracts,” Mintzlaff told Sport1. “We know the terms of the contracts of our players and I know them very well – especially that of our top performers.”

In fact, Mintzlaff suggests Upamecano will leave this summer. He rules out letting him leave for free, which is what will happen if he stays without an extension.

“For us, it is a no-go that top performers leave free of charge,” Mintzlaff continued. “That’s the case with Timo Werner and will be the same with Dayot Upamecano. I have the economic side in mind.”

Sky Sports previously claimed Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal were all in the race for Upamecano, at least at some stage. Sky aren’t proving a particularly reliable source on this saga so far, though.

The issue is that many clubs will struggle to afford the asking price for Upamecano now. His release clause is €60m, which seemed reasonable pre-COVID-19, but doesn’t anymore.

Either way, the lack of a contract extension will keep this saga going over the coming months.