Bayern Munich: Barcelona initiate contact with Benjamin Pavard
The next summer transfer window could see the departure of another defender at Bayern Munich. The Bavarian club parted ways with Niklas Sule last summer after he decided to join Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer. Bayern may find themselves in a similar position if they don’t cash in for Benjamin Pavard next summer.
The French international is reluctant to sign a new contract at Die Roten. His current deal in Munich expires at the end of the 2023/24 season. Pavard recently admitted that he would be open to experiencing a new project in the summer. The former Stuttgart defender may have started exploring clubs that can sign him.
According to SportBild’s Christian Falk, Benjamin Pavard is already in contact with FC Barcelona. The Spanish club has been credited with an interest in the French defender. It remains to be seen if Barcelona wants Pavard on a free transfer in 2024 or pay a fee for him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Barcelona is looking to add a right-back to the first-team squad, so a move for Pavard makes sense for the Spanish club. However, a move to the Catalan club will be far from ideal for Pavard. The French defender wants to play in central defense, but FC Barcelona has an ample number of options in the squad.
Meanwhile, Bayern is expected to hold talks with Pavard during Ruckrunde to explore the possibility of a contract extension. While talking to the media on Saturday, Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic insists that the club has a good relationship with Pavard and a contract renewal is still possible.
Die Roten will be hoping to get a firm answer from Pavard sooner rather than later to start planning for the summer transfer window. The record Bundesliga champions will look for a right-back in the summer if Benjamin Pavard decides to leave Munich in the summer.
Apart from Barcelona, several top clubs in Europe will show interest in the French international. Chelsea and Atletico Madrid were heavily linked with a move for Pavard last summer, but Julian Nagelsmann convinced him to stay in Munich. Barcelona is struggling financially, so they may find it difficult to pay a transfer fee to Die Roten in the summer. If Pavard is determined to leave, Bayern will be hoping for an auction to get a significant fee for him.
Next. How can Blind strengthen Bayern?. dark
Want your voice heard? Join the Bayern Strikes team!
For now, Pavard has a big role to play for Bayern during the second half of the season. The French defender is expected to be regularly in the right-back position since Noussair Mazraoui has been ruled out for a few weeks due to illness. After enduring a disappointing personal experience with France at World Cup, Benjamin Pavard will be desperate to bounce back with Bayern in Ruckrunde.