Manchester United are happy to pay £25 million for Benjamin Pavard but Bayern Munich want a lot more from the Premier League giants for their wantaway defender.
And Bayern’s potential £45 million price-tag, BILD reports, is ‘far too’ high, as far as Manchester United are concerned. The good news for Erik ten Hag and co, however, is that his preferred Harry Maguire replacement is out of contract in 2024, and appears to have very little interest in extending that contract.
There are, then, striking similarities with the Mason Mount situation. United were eventually able to barter down Mount’s price-tag after the England international made it clear that he would be willing to leave Stamford Bridge on a free-transfer 12 months down the line.
With Benjamin Pavard adopting a similar stance, do not be surprised if United and Bayern end up compromising on a fee before the end of the window. Especially with Sky Germany claiming that Pavard has verbally accepted United’s offer.
Manchester United face Bayern Munich battle
The 2018 World Cup winner, BILD adds, ‘wants to get away’ from the Allianz Arena. He has informed the Bayern bosses of his desire for a fresh start.
Man United made initial contact with the Bundesliga champions over the weekend and – while there remains a £20 million gap in the valuations of both clubs – it is Ten Hag’s side who hold the power in negotiations.
Versatile, highly-experienced and a proven winner, Pavard appears to have moved ahead of Jean-Clair Todibo in Man United’s centre-back search. The former Stuttgart stopper has accumulated a remarkable 14 trophies in his career, though those numbers have obviously been inflated by spending four years at a Bayern side with an iron-like grip on the domestic scene in Germany.
Maguire out and Pavard in
United, however, will wait for Maguire to finalise his departure before stepping up their pursuit of Pavard.
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“We’ve had a bit accepted from Manchester United,” West Ham’s former Red Devils boss David Moyes said before Saturday’s 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth.
“But while he’s not our player I’m not in position to discuss him, really.”