Man Utd v Liverpool: FA Cup fourth-round preview
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Manchester United will go head-to-head with Liverpool for RB Leipzig's brilliant young defender Dayot Upamecano.
The Old Trafford club could even be tempted into stealing a march on the Merseysiders in the race for the 23-year-old French international this month after Kop bosses told Jurgen Klopp there is no money for reinforcements during the current transfer window.
Klopp regards Upamecano as a natural partner for Virgil van Dijk when the Dutchman returns from his cruciate ligament injury.
But his hopes that Liverpool's American owners would back him by triggering the £38million release clause in his contract before the end of the month have been dashed.
© AFP via Getty ImagesLiverpool and Man Utd will go head-to-head for Upamecano
Chelsea are also tracking Upamecano, while German giants Bayern Munich have stated their intention to try to keep him in the Bundesliga.
United thought they had struck a deal last summer after spending the previous year scouting the player.
But when Upamecano's father - a tiler by profession - became involved in the negotiations and made a number of 11th-hour demands, United pulled the plug on further talks.
The Manchester club's interest remains, however, and they are committed to finding a partner for record signing Harry Maguire.
Upamecano ticks all the boxes.
He began his career in France with Ligue 2 club Valenciennes before moving to Red Bull Salzburg in 2015 for £2million.
United were already monitoring his progress.
RB Leipzig took Upamecano to Germany for £9million two years later.
He was outstanding as the club reached the Champions League semi-finals last season.
And Upamecano helped knock United out of the competition in the group stages in December.