Barcelona & Chelsea target Benjamin Pavard open to 'new project'

James Shearman

Updated: 10 Nov 2022 20:24 GMT
3 min read

Benjamin Pavard in action for Bayern Munich. — © ProShots

Bayern Munich and France defender Benjamin Pavard is open to a 'new project' amid interest from Barcelona and Chelsea.

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Pavard's rocky relationship with Bayern was reported over the summer, with the 26-year-old said to be considering a move away.

According to reports, Pavard wants to play in his preferred position of centre-back, but the signing of Dutch star Matthijs de Ligt in the transfer window provided competition for places.

While fellow new acquisition Noussair Mazraoui has made the right-back slot his own.

''There have been no concrete talks over new contract. I’ve immense respect for Bayern — I’m not against discovering a new project,'' Pavard told L’Equipe.

''Maybe now is the time. Why not discover new country? The sporting project has to be interesting.''

Pavard's current contract at Bayern is set to expire in 2024, meaning the Bavarians must make a decision on whether to offer an extension to that deal, sell him next summer or lose him for free in 2024.

The defender joined Bayern from Stuttgart back in 2016 after initially coming through Lille's academy.

Barcelona vs Chelsea for Pavard

Barcelona would likely use Pavard at right-back given their lack of options in that position, while Chelsea would use Pavard in the right centre-back role often filled by academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah.

France World Cup list 🚨🇫🇷

▫️ Areola, Lloris, Mandanda;

▫️ L. Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Kimpembe, Koundé. Konaté, Pavard, Saliba, Upamecano, Varane;

▫️ Camavinga, Fofana, Guendouzi, Rabiot, Tchouaméni, Veretout;

▫️ Benzema, Coman, Dembélé, Giroud, Griezmann, Mbappé, Nkunku. pic.twitter.com/43Q2FLJf0l
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 9, 2022

With Pavard expressing his desire to play as a central defender, that may swing things towards Graham Potter's side, who are in need of defensive reinforcements considering Thiago Silva's age.

However, Chelsea and Barcelona have done battle for signings before, with the Blaugrana coming out on top in dealings with Jules Kounde and Raphinha in the 2022 summer transfer window.