Premier League club, Manchester United have had their opening for Benjamin Pavard rejected by Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich.
Manchester United are currently in the market for a replacement for former captain Harry Maguire, and Bayern Munich star, Pavard has emerged as their top target.
Bayern are understood to be open to selling Pavard this summer as his contract expires in June 2024, with United eyeing a bargain deal for the versatile defender.
Bild reports that the Bavarian giants have snubbed their first bid, however, with negotiations between the two clubs set to continue as they attempt to thrash out a deal.
The 27-year-old only played 45 minutes in Bayern’s heavy 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the DFL Supercup on Saturday night as a right-back, having been hooked at the break in favour of Noussair Mazrouai by Thomas Tuchel.
The report adds that Pavard has already informed Bayern chiefs of his desire to leave the club and he is keen on joining United’s revolution under Ten Hag.
While a fee has not been disclosed, Bayern are said to be seeking around £30m for the 27-year-old. That’s exactly the price United will receive from West Ham for Maguire, but United is keen on signing Pavard for a lower fee to save cash.
Pavard has amassed 12 goals and 12 assists from 163 games in a Bayern shirt since joining in 2019, prior to which he became a World Cup winner with France in the 2018 tournament.
A strong individual campaign in the 2022-23 season saw Pavard come up with seven goals and one assist in 43 matches, being deployed as a right-back and centre-back for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Barcelona were also linked with a move for Pavard amid their search for a new right-back, but the La Liga champions have since turned their attention to Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo.
