Bayern Munich has started preparing for the departure of Benjamin Pavard. The Bavarian club has lined up a loan move for Manchester City’s right-back Joao Cancelo with an option to buy in the summer. The Portuguese defender could replace Pavard at Bayern in the long run.
Meanwhile, Pavard seems to have given the nod to a possible move to La Liga. According to Spanish journalist Toni Juanmarti, Benjamin Pavard has already told Barcelona that he will be happy to join the Catalan club in the summer. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed Barcelona’s interest in Pavard. Sport1 has also confirmed that Pavard has set his eyes on a move to Barcelona.
In an interview at the end of 2022, Benjamin Pavard confirmed his desire to explore a new project in the summer. The French international currently has just over a year left on his contract at Die Roten, so the upcoming summer transfer window will be the best time to consider options.
Bayern is still open to extending Pavard’s contract. They are likely to try one last time to initiate contract talks with the French defender. If he continues to reject offers from Rekordmeister, they will have to cash in during the summer window.
Bayern have decided to proceed with surprising Cancelo deal as Mazraoui is injuried and Pavard could leave in the summer as Barcelona are keen on signing him. 🚨🔴🇵🇹 #Cancelo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023
Bayern, set to schedule medical tests if all goes to plan in the next 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/su8qo0BdMw
Pavard was exploring a move away from Die Roten last summer when the club signed Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus. The French defender was hoping to play as a central defender after the departure of Niklas Sule. However, the arrival of de Ligt made sure that Pavard had to settle for the right-back position.
Chelsea was heavily linked with a move for Pavard, but Julian Nagelsmann convinced him to stay in Munich. The French defender has done well this season, but he has majorly played in the right-back position. With the arrival of Joao Cancelo, Pavard’s playing time may significantly decrease during the second half of the season.
Pavard’s desire to join Barcelona is strange since the Spanish club already has several options in the central defense. The French international will have to play in the right-back position if he completes a move to Barcelona. Pavard had previously insisted that he wanted to consider projects where he would get a chance to play in central defense.
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Nevertheless, Bayern would hope to see an auction for Pavard in the summer. Considering the French defender’s success with Die Roten over the years, several top clubs will show interest in him. The record Bundesliga champions will be looking to recoup most of the transfer fee they paid to VfB Stuttgart in 2019.