Transfer Centre

Manchester United to rival Manchester City for Benjamin Pavard?

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 15 July 2023

Man United to rival Man City for Benjamin Pavard?

Benjamin Pavard is reportedly on the radar of both Manchester United and Manchester City, as the two rivals search for a new right-back this summer.

Manchester United have reportedly joined rivals Manchester City in the race for Benjamin Pavard.

The Bayern Munich defender is believed to be one of a number of players that the Bavarian club have transfer listed as they look to recoup funds to bid for Harry Kane.

Pavard featured in 30 of Bayern's Bundesliga matches last season, but younger options such as Noussair Mazraoui and Josip Stanisic look set to be given more involvement with the Frenchman's impending exit.

Sky Sports Deutschland claims that while Erik ten Hag is looking to get deals done for a new goalkeeper and centre-forward, improving other areas are also on the agenda, and the club remains in the race for Pavard.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on April 5, 2023 © Reuters

Despite keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League last season, defence appears to be one area that Ten Hag is keen to improve.

A move for Pavard may raise questions about the futures of Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but the United manager is believed to be impressed by the 27-year-old's ability to play both as a right-back and in the centre.

With the future of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo uncertain at City, the recent treble winners are also believed to be interested, with Pavard capable of slotting into Pep Guardiola's flexible defensive system which switches between a back four and a back three.

Walker has been linked with a switch to Bavaria, so that could open the door to a potential swap deal between the England international and Pavard.

However, should a deal not materialise, Achraf Hakimi could be the man that Man City turn to in their hunt for a new right-back.

Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi during the warm up before the match on August 7, 2021 © Reuters

Football Insider claims that Guardiola is a big fan of the marauding full-back, and that the club are willing to pay a premium fee to prise him away from Paris Saint-Germain, where Hakimi had a troubled campaign.

Legal troubles and two back-to-back red cards late in the season has cast doubt over the Moroccan's future in the French capital.

Hakimi's profile is similar to that of Cancelo, given that he is a goal-scoring full-back who is comfortable carrying the ball into advanced areas and taking on his opposite number.

Cancelo is unlikely to have a future at the Etihad though after the falling out that he had with Guardiola which ultimately led to his loan move to Bayern.