World Cup winner set for Bayern Munich exit

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is reportedly on the verge of an exit from the Bavarian club as he continues to drag his feet over signing a contract extension with the club. 

Pavard’s current deal expires in June 2024, but the Frenchman has held out on talks for a new deal with the Bayern Munich management during the season, reportedly in a bid to force a summer move. 

Bayern Munich will need to sell the Frenchman this summer in order to make a reasonable sum from his sale, if they are unable to get him to sign a contract extension, and they will need to act fast to do either. 

With new management coming into the club after the dismissal of former players Hassan Salihamidzic and Oliver Kahn, the incoming Bayern Chiefs will need to either convince Pavard to extend his stay or find a suitable buyer and replacement for the defender. 

Pavard, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, scoring one of the goals of the tournament against Argentina, and joined Bayern soon after from Bundesliga side Stuttgart. 

The defender has won four Bundesliga titles, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2020, but is reportedly keen on making a move out of the club in the summer despite his success. 

Pavard is believed to be seeking a club where he can develop in his preferred centre-back position and role instead of playing outside as a full-back. 

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be frontrunners for his signature, while Spanish giants Barcelona are also said to be monitoring the situation.