Chelsea 'now have very good cards' in Dayot Upamecano race

The impending arrival of Thomas Tuchel has given Chelsea a major trump card in the race for RB Lepzig defender Dayot Upamecano, according to reports in Germany.

The former PSG manager is set to take over at Stamford Bridge this week following the sacking of Frank Lampard on Monday.

And his presence in the dugout could help The Blues acquire the 22-year-old, one of the most coveted centre-backs in Europe, according to Bild.

Upamecano has a £38million release clause built into a three-year contract signed in August last year, which comes into effect this summer.

Bayern Munich have been thought to be leading the race, while Premier League trio Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been keeping an eye on his development.

Tuchel was an admirer of the Frenchman during his time in Paris, and Upamecano's international team-mates have spoken positively in the past about his coaching.

The German manager also speaks fluent French, which would help Upamecano settle in a new country and environment, while his former club team-mate Timo Werner is already in London.

Chelsea's place in the race for Upamecano comes after reports at the weekend that Liverpool and Manchester United would be going 'head-to-head' for his signature in the summer.

It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are in desperate need for defensive reinforcements, with big injuries to first-choice pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez leaving the back line severely depleted.

It is reported however that United will look to trigger the clause early and have a deal in place ready for when the summer window opens, much to the dismay of their bitter rivals on Merseyside.

Bayern Munich chieff Karl-Heinz Rummenigge last week confirmed the German champions are plotting their own move.

'We will of course deal with it, not only with this player, but in principle,' Rummenigge said on Bild Live, 'on the positions where we want to do and have to do something.'

He added: 'In the time of coronavirus, the money situation is also an important factor.'