Erik ten Hag ruthlessly snubbed as Man Utd target U-turns on transfer agreement

21 August 2023 , 15:09

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Erik ten Hag ruthlessly snubbed as Man Utd target U-turns on transfer agreement

Benjamin Pavard rejected an offer to join Manchester United this month as he closes in on a transfer to Inter Milan.

United had informed Bayern of their intentions of signing the France international defender – who is out of contract next summer and is available at a below-market value price as a result. Liverpool had also shortlisted Pavard for a transfer this summer but did not advance their interest due to their priority of strengthening their midfield.

Erik ten Hag had instructed United to sign a new central defender ahead of the seemingly impending exit of former club captain Harry Maguire. Contacts had been struck with Bayern and Pavard, but Maguire’s proposed move to West Ham collapsed and Pavard will now not move to Old Trafford.

Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe had already left the club this summer, with Eric Bailly also set to leave this summer. Maguire is not in Ten Hag’s first-team plans, and the fact that Casemiro and Luke Shaw both had to deputise in central defence last season highlighted United’s desire to sign another centre-back.

A report from Gazzetta dello Sport has outlined that last season’s defeated Champions League finalists Inter are now confident of signing Pavard. The report adds that the Frenchman rejected offers from elsewhere, including what they describe as an ‘important’ offer from United.

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The club have already signed Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund this summer but are yet to strengthen their backline. It has not been ruled out that another defender will be added before the close of the window, but this is likely to be dictated by potential departures.

Have Your Say! Do Man Utd need to sign another defender? Tell us what you think here.

Pavard looks set to leave Bayern Munich this summer for Inter Milan (Masatoshi Okauchi/REX/Shutterstock)

United are also keen to add another central midfielder with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat identified as a target. Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich is another option available for transfer. Both players were previously coached by Ten Hag in the Eredivisie.

Pavard joined Bayern from Stuttgart in 2019 and established himself as a regular player in Munich, clocking up 163 first-team appearances. He helped the club to the Champions League title in his debut season and to the Bundesliga title in each of his four campaigns at the club. He also offers an offensive threat – netting seven goals last term.

Colin Millar