Manchester United’s prospects of signing Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard this summer appear to have dwindled due to recent developments concerning Harry Maguire.
Last week, Manchester United accepted a £30 million offer from West Ham United for Maguire, hinting at the England international’s potential departure from Old Trafford.
However, current indications suggest that the potential move to West Ham has fallen through, resulting in the 30-year-old staying in Manchester this summer, notwithstanding the extensive conjecture surrounding his future.
Earlier in the summer, Maguire was stripped of the captaincy, and he currently holds the status of the fourth-choice centre-back at the club, trailing behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof.
Both Benjamin Pavard and Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice have been strongly linked with a move to Erik ten Hag’s squad as possible replacements for the former Red Devils skipper.
Nonetheless, as reported by Sky Sports News, the latest developments involving Maguire have cast doubt on the feasibility of securing Pavard.
The report indicates that the intention to sign the Bayern defender was in response to the potential departure of Maguire. However, it is now projected that there might not be sufficient financial leeway in the budget to accommodate the addition of the French international.
Pavard’s contract at the Allianz Arena is set to conclude next June, and he is believed to be striving for a departure from Thomas Tuchel’s side before the summer transfer window’s closure.
The 27-year-old, who joined Bayern from Stuttgart in July 2019, has accumulated 163 appearances for the club, amassing seven goals and one assist in all competitions last season.
Valued by the German champions at approximately €40 million (£34.5 million), Pavard established himself as a regular presence in Tuchel’s lineup during the previous campaign. He featured in 43 matches across various competitions.
The French player also featured for 45 minutes during his team’s 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup on Saturday.
Manchester United continues to actively pursue several departures before the conclusion of the summer transfer window, alongside their persistent determination to secure the services of a defensive midfielder.
Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is reportedly their foremost target in this specific position, particularly with the departure of Fred to Fenerbahce and Donny van de Beek’s imminent exit.
Initiating their 2023-24 Premier League campaign, Manchester United achieved a 1-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.
One reply on “United unlikely to sign Benjamin Pavard due to Maguire transfer saga”
[…] With Pavard eager for a change and his contract set to lapse in June 2024, Bayern might see this as their final opportunity to gain a substantial fee from his transfer. La Gazzetta highlights that Pavard seems to favour a switch to Inter Milan, having turned down an advance from Manchester United. […]