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Chelsea, Manchester United 'offered chance to sign Benjamin Pavard'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 31 July 2022

Chelsea, Man United 'offered chance to sign Benjamin Pavard'

Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly offered the chance to sign Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard, but the German champions are still undecided on his future.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been offered the chance to sign Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich this summer, according to a report.

The 2018 World Cup winner is being strongly linked with an exit after the Bavarians reinforced their defence with the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

Pavard's contract with the perennial Bundesliga champions also has just two years left to run, which could put the club in a tricky situation should he not pen fresh terms.

The 26-year-old's versatility across the backline is understood to be admired by Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, who is on the hunt for new faces in defence.

However, Chelsea could have to fend off competition from Man United for his services, as Sport 1 claims that both clubs have been offered the chance to sign the defender by his agent Joseph Mohan.

Benjamin Pavard in training for Bayern Munich on November 5, 2019 © Reuters

Julian Nagelsmann and Hasan Salihamidzic have both expressed hope that Pavard will remain at the Allianz Arena, but the player himself has admitted that he does not know what the future holds.

The report adds that the powers-that-be in Bavaria are split on whether to cash in on the former Stuttgart right-back, but a considerable sum of money could lead them to sanction his exit.

Should no interested party meet Bayern's asking price, the club would be happy to retain the France international's services after Atletico Madrid turned down the chance to sign him in January.

Furthermore, Mazraoui's training performances have supposedly left a bit to be desired so far, whereas Pavard consistently produces for the Bavarians on the practice pitches.

A £31.5m fee was required to prise Pavard away from Stuttgart in 2019, and the right-back has since registered six goals and 11 assists in 120 outings for the German champions.

Ajax's Noussair Mazraoui pictured in December 2021 © Reuters

Pavard set up two goals in 36 matches last season and scored Bayern's third in their 5-3 DFL-Supercup over RB Leipzig on Saturday, playing 78 minutes of the encounter in total.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag was tipped to bring in a new right-back at the start of the window, but neither Diogo Dalot nor Aaron Wan-Bissaka are seemingly close to leaving now.

Dalot will likely begin the season as the Red Devils' first-choice right-back, and as a result, Pavard is not of interest to Ten Hag at present.

On the other hand, Chelsea remain attentive to the situation after failing in their efforts to sign De Ligt, Jules Kounde and Nathan Ake already this summer, and Pavard is allegedly open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

Kalidou Koulibaly has arrived from Napoli, though, and the Blues are understood to have agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina.