Manchester United 'unlikely to sign Benjamin Pavard due to Harry Maguire situation'

Manchester United are reportedly now unlikely to sign Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard this summer due to the recent developments surrounding Harry Maguire.

The Red Devils accepted a £30m offer from West Ham United for Maguire last week, with the England international seemingly preparing to leave Old Trafford.

However, it is understood that a potential move to West Ham has now broken down, with the 30-year-old set to stay in Manchester this summer despite the widespread speculation surrounding his future.

Maguire had the captain's armband taken away from him earlier this summer, while is only the fourth-choice centre-back at the club behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.

Pavard, alongside Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, has been heavily linked with a move to Erik ten Hag's side as a potential replacement for the ex-Red Devils skipper.

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However, according to Sky Sports News, the recent developments surrounding Maguire means that a deal for Pavard is now highly unlikely.

The report claims that a move for the Bayern defender was in response to Maguire potentially leaving, and there is now not expected to be room in the budget to bring in the France international.

Pavard only has a contract at Allianz Arena until next June, and he is believed to be pushing to leave Thomas Tuchel's side before the end of the summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old, who has made 163 appearances for Bayern since arriving from Stuttgart in July 2019, is believed to be valued by the German champions in the region of €40m (£34.5m).

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Pavard was a regular for Tuchel's side last season, featuring on 43 occasions in all competitions, scoring seven goals and registering one assist in the process.

The Frenchman also played 45 minutes of his side's 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup on Saturday.

Man United are still working on a number of exits before the end of the summer market, while they remain determined to bring in a defensive midfielder.

Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat is said to be their leading target in that area of the field, with Fred already moving on to Fenerbahce and Donny van de Beek also set to depart.

Man United opened their 2023-24 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.