Bayern Munich: Benjamin Pavard ready to consider new project
There was significant turnover in the first-team squad at Bayern Munich during the last summer transfer window. Niklas Sule, Robert Lewandowski, and Corentin Tolisso were the senior players that left the club, while a few young players also sealed permanent transfers to get consistent playing time.
The next summer transfer window will not witness several departures at Bayern, but there could be one significant departure in the defensive part of the squad. Benjamin Pavard could be on his way out from Bavaria in the summer.
The French defender has less than 18 months left on his current deal. Bayern wants to extend his contract, but Pavard is reportedly unsure about committing his future to the club. The French international was heavily linked with various top clubs during the last summer transfer window, but Julian Nagelsmann convinced him to stay in Bavaria.
Pavard has plunged doubts over his future at Bayern in recent days. While talking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via iMiaSanMia), Benjamin Pavard admitted that he is open to considering new projects after spending seven years in Germany. The French defender is interested in listening to offers from clubs that will play him regularly in central defense.
"“I’ve been playing in Germany for 7 years. I won everything with Bayern Munich. I play football to win and I’m ready to consider new interesting projects, but as a centre-back.”"
The French defender has consistently insisted that he would like to play in central defense in the long run. However, Pavard is unlikely to get his wish fulfilled at Bayern since there are three central defenders ahead of him in the pecking order.
The former Stuttgart defender probably hoped to play in central defense this season after the departure of Niklas Sule in the summer. His hopes were dashed when Bayern paid a huge fee to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus. The arrival of the Dutch defender led to speculation about the future of Pavard at Die Roten.
Pavard was linked with multiple clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus. Die Roten managed to keep him, and he has delivered good performances this season, albeit in the right-back position. On a few occasions, Pavard has been used in central defense by Nagelsmann.
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Bayern will most likely try to open contract talks with Benjamin Pavard after the World Cup. If the French defender decides against renewing his contract, Die Roten will have no option but to listen to offers for him. The Bavarian club may have to bring in another right-back or consider Josip Stanisic as the backup for Noussair Mazraoui from next season.