Transfer Centre

Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard 'open to Chelsea move'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 30 July 2022

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is reportedly open to a summer move to Chelsea if the Blues make a "serious offer" for his services.

Bayern Munich right-back Benjamin Pavard would reportedly be open to a summer switch to Chelsea.

The 26-year-old has been an important player for the Bavarians under Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann but could be pushed down the pecking order in 2022-23.

The signing of Noussair Mazraoui from Ajax has increased the competition within Nagelsmann's defensive ranks, and Pavard has thus been linked with a summer move elsewhere.

With Chelsea failing in several of their defensive pursuits so far this summer, the Blues have been tipped to move for the versatile Pavard, who can feature anywhere across the backline.

Manchester United have also been linked with a swoop for the World Cup winner, who is under contract at the Allianz Arena for another two years.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on July 20, 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea have now been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of the France international, as BILD journalist Christian Falk claims that Pavard would consider a move to the English capital.

Falk reports that Pavard is open to donning the blue shirt if Thomas Tuchel's side make a "serious" offer, but Chelsea are not believed to have made a bid for his services yet.

Bayern paid Stuttgart £31.5m to take Pavard off their hands in the summer of 2019, and the defender has registered five goals and 11 assists in 119 games for the club since.

Pavard has won three Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the DFB-Pokal, the UEFA Super Cup and the DFL-Supercup in Bavaria, as well as becoming world and Nations League champion with France.

Last term, the former Lille academy product posted two assists from 36 games in all competitions, starting 24 Bundesliga games as a right-back, centre-back or right-wing back.

Benjamin Pavard in action for Bayern Munich on February 1, 2020 © Reuters

Chelsea have already won the race to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, but Tuchel is after another rearguard member to replace both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso - who are both out of contract in 2023 - continue to be linked with moves to Barcelona as well, which would further deepen the Blues' defensive crisis.

Bayern have already pipped Chelsea to the signature of Matthijs de Ligt this summer, while Barcelona hijacked a move for Jules Kounde after the Blues stalled over a £55m deal.

Tuchel's side are said to have agreed personal terms with Leicester City's Wesley Fofana, but the Foxes are resisting efforts from other clubs to sign the 21-year-old.

Chelsea ended their pre-season on a high note with back-to-back wins over Udinese in Italy, posting a 3-1 success before a second team won 2-0 against Le Zebrette.