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| Upamecano in action for Red Bull Salzburg |
FC Barcelona are interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg’s teenager Dayotchanculle Upamecano as they look to build their squad for the future.
According to Catalán source SPORT, Barça are interested in signing the 18-year old defender who has become a crucial figure in Oscar García Junyet’s Red Bull Salzburg side where he’s established himself as an indisputable starter at such a young age after only making his debut with the Austrian side last season.
According to the report, Red Bull Salzburg are conscious about the fact that Barça are interested in signing him, the Catalan giants are however just one of the numerous clubs following the Frenchman and will face stiff competition from English side Manchester City who are also interested in bringing him to the Premier League.
Both Barça and Manchester City have some little relationship with Red Bull Salzburg’s coach Oscar García, the 43-year old was the manager of FC Barcelona’s youth team from 2010 to 2012, the period current Man City manager Pep Guardiola was first team coach. Garcia is also a former Barça player, graduated from the club’s academy and played 6 seasons wearing the scarlet and blue of Barça.
Upamecano plays for France’s youth sides, and according to SPORT, it is where he enticed Barcelona after he helped France win the U17 Youth Championship in Bulgaria. From there they have tracked him in Austria. Red Bull Salzburg paid €2.2 million for him from Valenciennes.
SPORT also stated that Upamecano is a lover of FC Barcelona and has never hidden his admiration for the club. He was close to signing for Bundesliga’s Leipzig but a good offer from Barça might tempt him to a move to Catalonia. He surely will start in the B team if Barça were to sign him.