Manchester United have designated Benjamin Pavard as their top priority target, but transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has now provided GIVEMESPORT with an exclusive update on how the deal has fallen through.
Erik ten Hag has identified the heart of defense as an area in need of development and hopes to iron out any flaws before the transfer market ends on September 1.
Benjamin Pavard is a Manchester United transfer target
Ten Hag was aiming to replace the reportedly departing Harry Maguire, who had accepted a £30 million contract with West Ham United, with a new defensive face this summer, most notably Pavard.
However, Sky Sports reports that now that Maguire’s deal to the London Stadium has fallen through, Pavard’s move to Old Trafford is deemed ‘unlikely,’ despite the Frenchman’s desire to join the 13-time Premier League champions.
Now, Romano has told his Twitter followers that Pavard’s future is one to keep an eye on, as he prepares to pack his stuff and depart the reigning Bundesliga winners.
However, the Red Devils are not the only club interested in Pavard; Inter Milan are also intrigued, and Arsenal could make a move as a result of Jurrien Timber’s untimely injury.
According to The Mirror, Maguire is wanting a £10 million pay-off before leaving the club, potentially delaying a deal for Pavard or any other possible center-back option.
The Englishman, who presently earns £190,000 a week in Manchester, would be forced to take a massive pay reduction if he moved on, and this aspect of the move is one he is trying to accept.
Fabrizio Romano’s thoughts on Manchester United and Benjamin Pavard
Pavard is probably at the top of the list of courted centre-backs, according to Romano, given the Manchester-based club’s keen interest.
Any potential move, however, could be called off because the German club is in no hurry to cut ties with the versatile defender after their agreement for Kyle Walker fell through.
“I think the top option right now is Benjamin Pavard because the contact is very concrete,” he told GIVEMESPORT exclusively. Manchester United approached Bayern Munich last week. They began discussing a prospective transfer on Friday, but Bayern Munich said no since they do not intend to give the green light at this time. Also, since they wanted to sign Kyle Walker, who turned them down and elected to stay at Manchester City.”
