Benjamin Pavard is on Barcelona’s radar, reveals chairman Joan Laporta. The 26-year-old defender still has a contract with Bayern Munich until mid-2024. Last month, however, Pavard seemed to hint at a departure from der Rekordmeister. Laporta has spoken out about Barça’s transfer plans to its own club channel. “Pavard is a real option for us,” says the chairman. “His contract expires in two years and he wants to leave. He will be able to strengthen the defense.” Last summer, the Catalans already strengthened themselves in defense with Pavard’s long-time friend Jules Koundé, who came over from Seville for at least fifty million. In addition, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen (both Chelsea) and Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal) were transfer-free reinforcements.
Pavards speaks with L’Equipe
In conversation with L’Équipe last month, Pavard cautiously expressed the desire to embark on an adventure elsewhere after this season. The defender is in his fourth season at Bayern, having joined from VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2019. However, it is slowly time for him to look further. “I have a lot of respect for Bayern, because that’s where I learned to deal with the highest level,” he said. “But I’m not averse to a new challenge. Maybe now is the right time. Why not discover a new country, a new culture? The sporting project must be interesting.”
Early interest
Last summer, there was repeated speculation about a departure from the defender, but he ultimately decided to stay with the German record champion. If the Frenchman does not renew his contract before the end of the season, a departure could again become a problem. Bayern will not want to let Pavard leave on a free transfer in 2024 anyway. The defender started the last World Cup as a basic player for France, but after the game against Australia (4-1 victory), in which he did not leave a too strong impression, Pavard had to settle for a reserve role. In the summer odds were leaning towards a Premier League move, now a free bet on Pavard moving to Barcelona won’t make you a lot of money.