Bayern Munich is making a few changes to the defensive area of the senior squad this summer. The Bavarian club has been forced to make those changes since a couple of senior defenders are leaving Munich. Bayern confirmed the departure of Lucas Hernandez on Sunday, but there seems to be no development on the future of Benjamin Pavard.
According to Kicker, Bayern is yet to receive offers for Benjamin Pavard. The French defender is expected to report for pre-season training at Sabner Strasse this week. Pavard remains keen on leaving Bavaria this summer after refusing to sign a new contract.
The report from Kicker suggests that Pavard is yet to find a club that wants to play him in the center-back role. The 27-year-old defender had previously admitted that he is willing to listen to projects that will give him a chance to play in the heart of the defense consistently. Pavard has largely played in the right-back position for Die Roten in the last four seasons.
Pavard’s future has been subject to speculation during the last 18 months. He hoped to play regularly in central defense last season after the departure of Niklas Sule. However, Die Roten went ahead with the signing of Matthijs de Ligt to replace the German international in the squad. Pavard was reportedly looking for a move away from Bavaria last summer, but Julian Nagelsmann convinced him to stay.
The French World Cup winner regularly featured in the starting XI during the first half of last season, but it was mostly in the right-back position. Pavard expressed his desire to leave Bayern at the end of 2022. Inter Milan made a bid for him in January, but Rekordmeister decided to keep him at least until the end of the season.
Pavard got the chance to play in central defense consistently during Ruckrunde as Nagelsmann switched to a back three. He continued to feature in central defense after the departure of Nagelsmann due to injury to Dayot Upamecano. There were suggestions in Germany that Benjamin Pavard may do a U-turn and sign a new deal. However, the French defender told club chiefs about his wish to leave at the end of the season.
Bayern does not want to lose Pavard on a free transfer next summer. He will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with clubs during the window if a move doesn’t materialize this summer. Die Roten cannot afford to lose quality players on free transfers since they need cash to strengthen the squad.
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The record Bundesliga Champions wants a fee close to €30-40 million for the French international. Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid have been linked with Pavard in the last 12 months. Rekordmeister will hope that one of them makes a move for him late in the transfer window.