A win to open the season on Friday at Werder Bremen was a good start for Bayern Munich, but the start of the new campaign is not all plain sailing for the Bavarians with their squad still in a bit of limbo. Having been forced to let Lucas Hernandez leave the club earlier in the summer, there is new drama regarding fellow Frenchman Benjamin Pavard, who has made his intention to leave the club very clear. Can the Rekordmeister afford to lose another Stammspieler this summer?
Au revoir?
Pavard has long been seen as a player to potentially leave the club with Manchester United being strongly linked with the 27-year-old. However the latest news is that Inter Milan are the ones making all the moves to sign the French World Cup winner, but Bayern are loathe to see him leave. Initial reports claimed the Bundesliga side were adamant about holding onto the player until next summer, but new rumours are emerging that they might consider a sale at the right price and if the right replacement can be found.
Pavard was substituted at half-time of the recent Supercup defeat to RB Leipzig and was an unused substitute on Friday in Bayern’s 4-0 win over Werder Bremen. On the following day Bayern played a friendly against a fans XI and although Pavard played and scored, his whole demeanour was that of someone who didn’t want to be there. He distanced himself from the squad and interacted at the bare minimum with the fans.
Pavard has reportedly repeatedly told the Bayern hierarchy of his wish and intention to leave this summer. According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport a move to Inter is considered “imminent.”
The Italian giants and Bayern are very close to an agreement with the Serie A club raising their offer to €28million + €5m in add-ons. It is said Bayern want €35 million, so with some negotiation it is thought a deal can be done pretty soon.
Thin on the ground
Bayern however would need to then dip into the market again themselves. Having just loaned Josip Stanisic to Bayer Leverkusen, there would not be a lot of options left to Thomas Tuchel should anything happen to Noussair Mazraoui this season. Bouna Sarr (yes he’s still at the club!) and Konrad Laimer in an emergency would be the immediate options with Joshua Kimmich adamant that he does not see a return to right back on the horizon.
Bayern made a move for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker earlier in the summer, but the English international opted not to follow compatriot Harry Kane to the Allianz Arena. Bayern have reportedly make a second enquiry, but once again come up blank.
The latest transfer rumours are linking Bayern with a move for Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida should Inter actually snare Pavard. The 23-year-old has been tracked by Bayern for a while and RB Leipzig were said to have had a €30 million offer rejected this summer as the Rotterdam club held out for €35 million.
Like Pavard he can also be used in the centre of defence and is flexible enough to also operate at left-back should it be required. Having won the Eredivisie title last season he has seen his value double and the number of suitors watching him increase.
In the ideal world Bayern would retain Pavard, but holding onto a player whose heart is clearly not in the cause would ultimately prove counterproductive. An acceptable offer from Inter would provide the funds to sign a direct replacement. Bayern knew this was in the pipeline when they loaned out Stanisic, so it is highly likely they already have a alternative to Pavard up their Lederhosen.
