Manchester United have finally made contact with Benjamin Pavard who has been identified as a Harry Maguire replacement, it has been claimed.
It was widely reported earlier in the week that West Ham had submitted an improved offer of around £30million for Maguire, which United accepted.
However, a deal for the England international is yet to have been concluded.
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Indeed, on Maguire, West Ham boss David Moyes said in the week: "We've had a bid accepted from Manchester United, but while he's not our player I'm not in a position to discuss him."
United reportedly want to sign a replacement before selling Maguire with Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo and Bayern Munich's Pavard having all been linked.
And the club have reportedly made a move for the latter.
Manchester United 'make contact' with Benjamin Pavard
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Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed United have made contact with Bayern for Pavard.
However, despite the France international's desire to leave, Bayern are yet to have sanctioned the move.
Romano said in a Tweet: "Understand Manchester United have contacted Bayern for Benjamin Pavard deal #MUFC
"There’s still no green light from Bayern.
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"But Pavard intention is clear: he wants to leave and try new chapter.
"Pavard won’t sign new deal at Bayern and current one expires in June 2024."
As mentioned, Pavard has refused to sign a new deal at Bayern, and has been linked with a move away from the Bavarian giants all window.
While it is unclear how much Bayern would demand for the 27-year-old, given his contract is ticking down, it has been claimed that around £26million could be enough to lure the Frenchman to Old Trafford.
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Pavard, who can operate both as a right-back and centre-back, joined Bayern Munich from Stuttgart in 2019 in a £30million deal.
The defender was one of the stars of France's 2018 World Cup win, netting one of the goals of the tournament in a thrilling 4-3 win in the quarter-finals over Argentina.
Though he is a favourite of France manager Didier Deschamps, he lost his place at the 2022 World Cup to Barcelona's Jules Kounde.
Topics: Bayern Munich, Benjamin Pavard, Football, Harry Maguire, Premier League, Transfers, Manchester United
Chris Byfield