Manchester City and Manchester United have been disappointed after Dayot Upamecano’s agent ruled out a move this summer.
RB Leipzig star Upamecano is on City’s radar as they scout for a top centre-half, while United have also shown interest in the highly-rated Frenchman.
Upamecano, 21, who has 13 months left on his contract, is enjoying an impressive campaign and has helped Leipzig reach the Champions League quarter-finals and climb to third in the Bundesliga.
Despite the interest, his representative Volker Struth claims no suitor is likely to offer the huge fee Leipzig would want because the coronavirus has hit clubs’ income.
“I don’t believe large transfers will take place this summer,” said Struth. “And I think Upamecano is a player who will demand a large fee.
“So the statement has already been made.”
Bayern Munich had also listed Upamecano as a possible target this summer, but have put those plans on ice while they rethink their transfer strategy amid the current crisis.
Upamecano was said to have already agreed terms in principal over a move to the Allianz Arena, which had seemingly left the door open for a Premier League club to swoop.
Leipzig were rumored to be concerned they could lose the youngster for nothing when his contract expires next year.
The club's CEO Oliver Mintzlaff told Sport1 this month: "In the Covid-19 crisis, we have other issues greater than concerns about contracts.
"We know the terms of our players’ contracts and I know them very well – especially that of our top performers.
"For us, it is a no go that the top performers will be allowed to leave our club free of charge.
"That’s the case with Timo Werner and that will be the case with Dayot Upamecano. I have the economic stability of the club in mind."
