Man Utd missed out on Upamecano transfer after he visited training ground as a teen but are now battling Arsenal for him
MANCHESTER UNITED missed out on signing Dayot Upamecano in 2015 after the French star visited the club's training ground as a teenager.
The in-demand defender, 21, visited Carrington just days before sealing his move from Valenciennes to Austrian side Liefering - Red Bull Salzburg's feeder team - in 2015.
According to , Upamecano took a trip to Man Utd that summer, still aged just 16.
The powerful centre-back was given a tour of the Aon Training Complex and even engaged in talks with the club.
However, United - then under the leadership of Louis van Gaal - failed to make their move and he instead joined Austrian second-tier side Liefering.
After one impressive season, he moved up from Liefering to Red Bull Salzburg, before moving to Red Bull Leipzig in 2017.
Now, having missed out on a minuscule transfer fee opportunity five years ago they are set to battle Arsenal for his signature in a £55million deal this summer.
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Upamecano has as £55m release clause in his current contract, but Europe's top clubs are hoping to secure a much cheaper deal.
The French ace's contract expires next summer and with little over 12 months on his current deal, Leipzig are fearful of losing him for free.
They could therefore accept offers of around £36m this summer, say France Football.
The 14-cap France Under-21s star - who is being tipped for a senior international call-up under Didier Deschamps - will therefore prove to be a cheaper alternative to .
United have been chasing the Napoli ace, 28, for around two years but have never pulled the trigger on any deal due to his sky-high fee, thought to be around £90m.
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Arsenal have been keen on Upamecano for the better part of a year now and are set to battle Man Utd, Bayern Munich and Barcelona this summer.
But the Gunners are expected to be in a weaker financial position compared to the likes of the Red Devils and may have to bow out.
United now lead the race for Upamecano after the Leipzig centre-back revealed he would favour a move to the Premier League.