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Arsenal have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.

The highly-rated centre-back has impressed with his performances in the Bundesliga this season, and the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City have been reportedly keeping tabs.

But could the Gunners beat both clubs to his signature?

Take a look at a timeline of events regarding Arsenal's reported pursuit of the RB Leipzig defender and the latest update on his future.

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Who is Dayot Upamecano?

Upamecano is a 21-year-old centre-back who was born in France but holds dual citizenship with Guinea-Bissau.

He is right-footed and can also play in central midfield.

He plies his trade in the German Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, where he has played for two seasons, since moving from the other Red Bull team in Salzburg for £9million.

Upamecano has pace to burn.

Not only that but he is an old-fashioned defender who "loves to defend" according to France youth coach Jean-Claude Giuntini in 2015.

He grew up playing alongside the likes of Ousmane Dembele.

How did he get on last season?

Pretty well, for the first half of the season at least.

He made 22 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig, which helped them into the top four in the Bundesliga and into this season's Champions League.

(Image: TF-Images/Getty Images)

However, his season was cut short by a knee injury.

He missed 18 games as a result of the injury, between January and May, returning to the team for the final two games of the campaign.

What happened in the summer?

According to German publication Bild, Arsenal made a huge offer to try and snare Upamecano.

Having spent a whopping £72million on Pepe, Bild said that Arsenal have lodged a bid of €60million (£54.7million) for the 20-year-old centre-back, having been linked with him in the past.

That offer was rejected by Leipzig, who do not want to sell.

What he has said about his future

Upamecano helped the Bundesliga side into the Champions League for this season.

And what he said a year ago should concern Arsenal if they have any hope of capturing the defender.

He has another two years left on his current Leipzig contract, and said in 2017/18: "I see no reason why I should go away. I have a huge opportunity here to develop and to get regular game time."

(Image: TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)

He also said, during his time at Salzburg that he "didn't want to go to a very big club too soon".

Could a move to the Premier League, just a year later, be seen as too soon still?

Release clause lowered

According to L’Equipe, Upamecano's release clause was set at €80million (£72.9million) and will reduce to €60million (£54.7million) in 2020 - the same amount as Arsenal were said to have bid last year.

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will return in the summer transfer window for the defender, with William Saliba set to return to the club from a season-long loan from Saint-Etienne.

Guendouzi's role

Arsenal fans have encouraged midfielder Matteo Guendouzi to try an persuade his friend Upamecano to make a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Both players were with the France U21 squad for their U21 European qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Slovakia last week.

Ahead of the games, pictures of both Guendouzi and Upamecano together were posted on social media, with Arsenal fans showing their excitement at the potential link.

Full story.

£40million bid

Reports of a summer bid from Arsenal were widespread, with Leipzig rejecting all offers.

But with Upamecano's release clause to be lowered, and no sign of a breakthrough in contract talks between the German club and the player, Leipzig could be forced to cut their losses.

According to the Sun, Upamecano could be allowed to leave in the summer if an offer of around £40million is lodged by Arsenal, or any other club for that matter.

And there could be a number of clubs in the market for him.

Tottenham interest

Upamecano is a highly-regarded prospect and Arsenal were sure to have some competition for his signature.

They may not, however, have been expecting competition so close to home.

Bleacher Report, as per The Boot Room, are reporting that Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham are now ready to make a move for Upamecano, in scenes reminiscent of the summer transfer window when Spurs were reported to have mad a late move for William Saliba.

The price tag on Upamecano's head, according to Bleacher would be £50million in January, with RB Leipzig looking for somewhere between £40million and £50million in the summer if contract talks continue to falter.

Man City hijack move

As well as reported interest from north London rivals Tottenham, Arsenal could be set to face even stiffer competition for Upamecano's signature in the form of Premier League champions Manchester City.

According to our friends at the Mirror, Pep Guardiola and City are 'weighing up a move' for the Leipzig defender.

City lost first-choice defender Aymeric Laporte earlier this season and have struggled in defence ever since.

Arsenal bid rejected

According to Sky Germany, RB Leipzig turned down another Arsenal move for Dayot Upamecano in January.

Barcelona identify Upamecano as 'top target'

According to Spanish outlet AS (via The Metro), Upamecano was one of Barcelona's 'top targets' during the January transfer window.

With Samuel Umtiti seemingly on the way out at the Nou Camp, the report claims that Barca see Upamecano as the perfect long-term replacement.

Barca have looked vulnerable at the back this season and could target the RB Leipzig man in order to help with their defensive problems.

Upamecano to leave in the summer

Dayot Upamecano will be leaving RB Leipzig - but not until the summer.

That’s according to Sky in Germany, who state that the defender will not be signing a contract extension with the Bundesliga side.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with the centre-back, but now Bayern Munich are also said to be considering a summer move.

Upamecano will only have one year remaining on his current deal in the summer, and so a transfer would be expected to cost around €30m to €40m (£25.3m to £33.8m).

Arsenal fans rave about performance against Bayern

(Image: Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Dayot Upamecano had Arsenal supporters talking, after his side held Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena.

The result keeps Leipzig second in the Bundesliga table, only a point behind Bayern, and means Julian Nagelsmann's side remain well in the hunt for the title.

Some Arsenal fans took to social media after the game to rave about his performance.

Upamecano decides to leave RB Leipzig

According to Bild, Upamecano has decided to leave RB Leipzig in the summer.

The defender's deal expires next year, leaving a sale highly likely - his release clause for this summer will be worth £54.7million, but the German club reportedly are willing part company for £50.4million.

Arsenal remain interested in the French centre-back, with the Premier League the player's preferred destination.

Mikel Arteta's side are likely to face competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, however.

Real Madrid join race

Spanish outlet AS report that Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid are now the latest club to join the race for Upamecano, giving Arsenal yet more competition to sign the defender.

Los Blancos join the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal fighting it out trying to secure the services of the Frenchman this summer.

Transfer hint to excite Arsenal fans

Arsenal supporters have taken to social media after Dayot Upamecano's barber posted an image on Instagram.

Sheldon Edwards, who self proclaims himself as a professional barber 'to elite athletes and media personalities' on his Instagram account, counts Upamecano as one of his high profile clients, along with Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and Olympic legend Usain Bolt.

He uploaded a picture of the Leipzig defender - taken several months ago - onto his Instagram story.

In the next picture, he posted an image with three emojis, including a hand with a pen and a book, in an apparent hint of an imminent contract signing of some form.

This sparked some excited responses from Arsenal supporters.

Full story.

Upamecano to leave RB Leipzig

The latest developments coming out of France is good and bad news for Arsenal.

According to France Football, Upamecano is almost certain to leave RB Leipzig when the summer transfer window opens, thus putting the Gunners on red alert as he could cost €40m (£35m) due to being in the final year of his contract.

However, the club's financial situation as well as competition from both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham will provide complications.

Bayern Munich transfer agreed

According to Bild, Upamecano has agreed to join RB Leizpig's Bundesliga rivals this summer.

However, Bayern Munich are said to be unwilling to pay the defender's €60m (£52m) release clause and leaves this transfer up in the air.

The report states that the Frenchman is keen to seal a move this summer, but could leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Upamecano to sign new deal

According to Sky, Upamecano will not join Bayern this summer.

Instead he will extend his contract with RB Leipzig by a further year and it will include a release clause.

Depending on what the figure is, it could be seen as a massive transfer boost for the Gunners, but they would have to wait until next summer to activate it as Upamecano reportedly wants to stay another year and continue his development.

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Transfer boost

The situation regarding Arsenal's pursuit of Upamecano changes on a day-to-day basis and the latest development could be fantastic news for Arteta.

According to SportBild, Leipzig have decided to accept €20m less than Upamecano’s €60m asking price this summer to ensure they get something for their man should he leave.

This means Arsenal could sign the Frenchman for £34million this summer.

Arsenal deal on

After so much back and forth over a deal for Upamecano, the transfer to the Emirates is back on, according to Tuttosport.

AC Milan were keen to sign the defender, with former Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis presiding over transfer matters there now.

But Milan have been told that the defender will be signing for Arsenal this summer.

Tuttosport report that Arsenal have "snatched an agreement" with Leipzig over a summer transfer.

Upamecano ready to leave Leipzig

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Dayot Upamecano would still like to leave RB Leipzig this summer, but not for a club seen as one of Europe’s best, as he feels he may not receive as much gametime.

The report claims the Frenchman wants to join a 'good European club', preferably in the Champions League.

If such a move does not present itself, then the player may well sign a new contract at Leipzig to increase the fee that the club would be able to receive.