Manchester United will reportedly have to secure a Champions League spot for the 2021-22 campaign if they are to compete for Dayot Upamecano's signature next summer.
The France international is expected to leave RB Leipzig at the end of the current season as there will be a £40m release clause in his contract in next summer's transfer window.
United have been strongly linked with the centre-back, but according to The Mirror, Upamecano will only join a Champions League club, meaning that the Red Devils will need to ensure that they are in Europe's leading cup competition next term in order to battle for his signature.
Upamecano, who is now a key part of France's plans moving forward, was linked with a move away from Leipzig during the current window.
The 21-year-old ultimately remained at the Red Bull Arena but looks set to depart next year, with Premier League champions Liverpool also believed to be firmly in the hunt.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was said to be keen on signing a new centre-back over the summer, but the transfer window closed with the club failing to address their issues in that area of the field.
Matt Law
