Manchester United are in talks with Bayern Munich over the possible transfer of 2018 World Cup-winning defender Benjamin Pavard, 90min understands.
The versatile Pavard, capable of playing as a centre-back or right-back, joined Bayern in 2019 and has entered the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena.
With Maguire in the process of leaving Old Trafford before next month’s transfer deadline, Pavard had been among a number of options to replace the former captain.
As 90min revealed last week, United are preparing to enter the transfer market once Maguire’s exit is completed. The England international had initially wanted to stay and fight for his place, despite slipping down the pecking order last season and losing the captaincy early in pre-season.
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But the Red Devils agreed a £30m fee with fellow Premier League side West Ham United. Talks have continued to hammer out the details of the proposed deal, although things have progressed slower than had been hoped. That being said, all parties expect a conclusion to still be reached soon.
Pavard has been offered to United, with Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, ex-Ajax defender Perr Schuurs, Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton, one-time Tottenham target Edmond Tapsoba and Benfica’s Antonio Silva all considered by the club to replace Maguire.
But it is the Pavard path on which United are now progressing and 90min understands that negotiations with Bayern over the transfer fee are taking place.
The perennial German champions value the Frenchman at £30m (€35m), which is higher than the £25.9m (€30m) that United have so far proposed. That figure hasn’t yet convinced Bayern to sell, but the difference in valuation has not dissuaded the sides from continuing to talk.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Man Utd negotiating Benjamin Pavard transfer fee with Bayern Munich.