Benjamin Pavard seems to be hinting at a departure from Bayern Munich. In conversation with L’Equipe the defender has expressed a cautious wish to embark on an adventure elsewhere after this season. Pavard’s statements boost Noussair Mazraoui’s chances at Bayern. The Moroccan who came over from Ajax competes with the Frenchman for a base place in the right back position.
Pavard is in his fourth season with Bayern, after coming over from VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2019. It is slowly time for the defender to look further. “I have a lot of respect for Bayern, because that’s where I learned to deal with the highest level,” he says in conversation with L’Equipe. “But I’m not averse to a new challenge. Maybe now is the right time. Why not discover a new country, a new culture? The sporting project must be interesting.”
Pavard still has a contract with Bayern until mid-2024. Last summer, there was already repeated speculation about the defender’s departure, but he ultimately decided to stay with the German record champion. Should the Frenchman not renew his contract before the end of the season, a departure could again become a problem. Bayern will not want to let Pavard leave on a free transfer in 2024 anyway. According to the 46-time international, there are currently no talks about an extension of his contract. “I’m concentrating on the World Cup.”
Pavard started the season as a starting player, but partly lost his place to Mazraoui. This season, the Frenchman made twelve games in the Bundesliga, ten of which as a basic player. With the former Ajax player, Pavard has a serious competitor in the right back position. The French international, in turn, flirts with a place at the heart of the defence. He seems to be most comfortable with a role as a central defender. Pavard will travel with the French national team to the World Cup in Qatar next week.
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