Roland Cutinho
Manchester United consider signing Bayern Munich star Benjamin Pavard as Harry Maguire’s replacement
According to German journalist Philip Kessler, Manchester United are in discussions with Bayern Munich to sign their star defender Benjamin Pavard as they seek to find a replacement for Harry Maguire.
It’s been stated that the Red Devils and West Ham United have reached an agreement for the transfer of Maguire, who is set to join the London Stadium in a £30 million deal.
While Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo is believed to be United’s primary choice for strengthening their central defence, Pavard has emerged as a viable alternative under the consideration of Erik ten Hag.
Bayern are aware of their player’s intention to depart during this summer transfer window, and the French national could be lured by the 20-time English champions.
The 27-year-old player, who possesses versatility as both a right-back and a centre-back, has less than a year remaining on his contract at Allianz Arena.
Pavard has previously been linked with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Barcelona. It’s expected that he will make a move before the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
Having started his professional journey at Lille, the Frenchman later transferred to Stuttgart, spending three years with the club before making a move to German giants Bayern in the summer of 2019.
Pavard has participated in 162 matches for his present club, achieving a total of 12 goals and 12 assists in the process.
In the previous season, the adaptable defender featured in 43 games across various competitions for Bayern, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.
Additionally, the experienced player has earned 49 international caps for France and was a member of the team that secured the runner-up position in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar towards the end of last year.
These stats prove that he is an option to consider due to his vast experience with club and country. His ability to play both as a right-back and a centre-back will come in handy for Erik ten Hag.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are expected to once again begin the season as Man United’s preferred centre-back options, with Victor Lindelof in reserve.
Meanwhile, fullbacks Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will remain with the club this summer, the former having recently extended his contract.
Nonetheless, both Dalot and Wan-Bissaka have encountered fitness issues, and the Frenchman’s ability to function as a right-back is seen as an appealing factor for the Red Devils.
Due to these reasons, we believe that the Bayern star fits the bill.
Pavard‘s current contract with the Bundesliga club extends until 2024, presenting a suitable opportunity for the German champions to secure a transfer fee for him, given his apparent lack of intention to renew his contract with the club.
Moreover, the recent signing of Kim Min-Jae by the Bavarian giants has resulted in Pavard’s reduced role in the hierarchy of centre-back options.
At Old Trafford, he can anticipate a substantial amount of playing time due to the need for careful management of Varane’s workload, with Lindelof being the sole other senior right-footed centre-back in the team.
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This potential transfer could prove advantageous for all involved parties – the player, United, and Bayern.
It remains to be seen how the story unfolds in the upcoming days as the race to sign a centre-back intensifies.
