Bayern Munich have their work cut out in the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen the squad for next season. The Bavarian club may have to strengthen the defense once again, as one key player looks likely to be on his way out from Munich.
According to SportBild’s Tobi Altschaffl, Benjamin Pavard and his agent told Bayern three weeks ago that he will not be signing a new deal. The French defender wants a new experience, so he is likely to leave the Bundesliga.
Sky Sports in Germany has also confirmed that Pavard has no intentions of signing a new deal. Meanwhile, Sport1’s Kerry Hau reports that Thomas Tuchel wanted Pavard to stay in Munich, but he is not keen to extend his stay in Bavaria.
As things stand, Pavard will become a free agent at the end of next season. Bayern cannot afford to lose another defender on a free transfer like they lost Niklas Sule to Borussia Dortmund last summer. The Bavarian club will most likely listen to offers for Pavard in the summer transfer window.
💥 News #Pavard: He wants to leave FC Bayern in summer confirmed! And he doesn’t want to extend his contract beyond 2024. Pavard has already informed the club about his decision.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 30, 2023
➡️ Barcelona and other top clubs are in! @altobelli13 reported first that he won’t extend.… pic.twitter.com/nsjCnZX3VP
Benjamin Pavard had expressed his desire to experience a new project before the World Cup 2022. Die Roten had no plans to part ways with him in the winter transfer window, as they rejected an offer from Inter Milan at the end of January. Pavard consistently played in his favoured position- central defense during Ruckrunde, which led to suggestions that he may do a u-turn and sign a new contract.
It does look like Bayern will be forced to look for a defensive reinforcement in the summer to fill the void left by Pavard. The Bavarian club may look for a fee between €30-40 million for Pavard, which is close to what they paid for him in 2019. It is a shame that Die Roten will lose a consistent performer in Pavard.
The French international will not be short of offers in the summer. Inter Milan may reignite their interest in the summer, while FC Barcelona and Manchester United have also been credibly linked with him. Several other top European clubs may also join the race for him when other domestic campaigns come to an end this weekend.
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Along with Pavard, Bayern also faces a contract headache with Lucas Hernandez. They are yet to reach a complete agreement with Hernandez for a new contract. Recent reports have suggested that PSG is eager to sign him this summer. Hernandez also has 12 months left on his current deal, which leaves Die Roten in a tricky situation this summer.