Bayern Munich and French international defender Benjamin Pavard is entering a potentially career-defining period in Bavaria as the Bundesliga edges closer to its return after the league’s annual Winterpause comes to an end on 20 January, with Pavard’s future at the Allianz Arena still up in the air as Bayern prepare to clash with RB Leipzig in Saxony.
Despite his reputation on the continent since first emerging from LOSC Lille’s academy setup before starring for VfB Stuttgart in order to earn his big move to Bayern in 2019, Pavard has found it hard to remain at the forefront for the Bavarian giants, and a desire to see more time in central-defense could find him looking for new employment in the summer.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg (relayed by iMiaSanMia), Bayern is set to open negotiations with Pavard during the spring given that the French defender is eager to move on to his next port of call.
Bayern will hold talks with Benjamin Pavard in spring. The player wants to leave in the summer. A contract extension is not an option at this stage – but not completely ruled out. A lot depends on how Pavard will present himself in the second half of the season [@Plettigoal] pic.twitter.com/TxeCWoOwbT
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 11, 2023
Currently valued at €35m according to Transfermarkt, Pavard is out of contract at the end of the 2023-24 season and on the surface is not without a number of suitors, with Plettenberg citing the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, while the Maubeuge native is also keen on the possibility of a move to Serie A.
But the speedbump in the road comes by way of the aforementioned club’s being on the hunt to solve their individual needs at right-back, which comes into contention with Pavard’s desire to play more centrally as he did for Stuttgart before making the leap to Bayern.
Plettenberg further detailed that, should Pavard rediscover his club form, a possible extension offer would not entirely be ruled out at this stage but it is becoming increasingly likely that all roads lead away from Bavaria.
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