Liverpool have joined Manchester United in the transfer race for Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, who wants to leave the Allianz Arena this summer.
With the France international, 27, entering the final year of his contract, Bayern Munich could look to cash in so as to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2024. The versatile defender himself is looking for a new adventure after four successful years with the Bundesliga heavyweights.
This has put many clubs across Europe on red alert, with Manchester United keen to sign him. Liverpool have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Benjamin Pavard, as Jurgen Klopp wants to bolster his defensive options after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
The Reds finished fifth in the table and missed out on Champions League qualification as a result. Jurgen Klopp is seeking to reinforce his starting XI to help the club fight for major honours next term. His current focus is on addressing the long-standing midfield problems by adding to the recent capture of 2022 World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Liverpool also eyeing defensive reinforcements
Having already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a £35m deal, Liverpool are expected to bring in a couple of midfielders more after releasing James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of this recently-concluded campaign. In addition to revamping the midfield, the Merseysiders also want a new centre-back.
The performances of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez were hugely underwhelming, while Ibrahima Konate endured another injury-hit season. Klopp wants to bring in a new central defender to challenge Van Dijk, Konate, Matip and Gomez, with Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard emerging as a potential target of late.
A right-back who is also comfortable playing in central defence, Pavard fits the bill and his signing could make a lot of sense for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold excelled in a new midfield hybrid role during the back end of the last season, producing several dominant performances. And as there is an expectation of Alexander-Arnold essaying the same role next season, a cover at right-back would be required.
Pavard has operated as a right-sided centre-back in a back three and as a right-back for Bayern and France, so he could add a lot of value to Liverpool’s defensive structure and build-up play. The 27-year-old could provide some much-needed competition to Alexander-Arnold in that position, too.
With Pavard entering the final year of his contract at Bayern and chances of him being sold are high, Liverpool should act quickly if their interest in him is genuine.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
