Man Utd missed out on Dayot Upamecano transfer 'due to row over £200,000'

Manchester United were on the verge of signing Dayot Upamecano five years ago, but reportedly missed out on the defender due to a dispute over just £200,000.

Upamecano joined RB Leipzig for £9million in 2017 and has developed into one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe.

Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United were among the host of European giants linked with the France international last summer.

By the tender age of 21, Upamecano has racked up 118 appearances for Leipzig and is believed have a £55million price tag.

But his blossoming career could have played out far differently had his proposed move to United in 2015 not fallen through after a row over the fee.

Emerging from the academy of French side Valenciennes, then-16-year-old Upamecano arrived at Old Trafford with his mother and agent to seal a move to the Red Devils.

But the player returned to France empty handed after talks broke down, as United were unwilling to increase their £500,000 bid to match Valenciennes' £700,000 asking price.

That's according to The Sun, whom an insider told: “Dayot wanted to join United and the fee really was nothing.

“At first he got the red-carpet treatment but then they would not go that bit further with their offer and he was gone.”

Instead, Upamecano was snapped up by RB Salzburg for €2.2million (£2million) and rapidly rose from feeder club Liefering to first-team status at Leipzig within two seasons.

Upamencao will face off against United as Leipzig travel to Old Trafford in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday.

The German club tops the Bundesliga after a fine start to the season, while they kicked off their European campaign with a 2-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir this week.

Upamecano is also in good form after scoring Leipzig's equaliser in the 2-1 win over Hertha Berlin on Saturday.