Goalposts move over Arsenal, Tottenham’s World Cup target

Arsenal and Tottenham will face intense competition to sign France World Cup Benjamin Pavard after the interest in the defender “increased a notch”.

Stuttgart sporting director Michael Reschke told Sport Bild that he had fielded numerous enquiries about the 22-year-old since he netted a spectacular goal for for France at the World Cup last weekend.

And Stuttgart are prepare to knock back a €50m offer to keep Pavard at the Bundesliga club for another season.

“We make no secret of the fact that Benjamin has a release clause for 2019. We will gladly forgo a lot of money if he plays for us for a further season,” Reschke, told Sport Bild.

“The interest in Pavard has increased a notch since Saturday with enquiries from top clubs in Europe. But we will not sell Benji for €50m this summer — we want to keep him,” he said.

L’Equipe have reported that Bayern Munich are set to trigger the €35m exit clause Pavard, which becomes active in 2019.

Reschke though will seek talks with Pavard, who is also a target for Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig, and his agent after the World Cup to discuss his future plans.

“We are prepared to find a solution for 1. July 2019 with a club that works together with us correctly and transparently. I think it’s very probable that he will move to one of the top eight clubs in Europe for season 2019-20,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pavard, who cost just €5m from Lille  in 2016, has told L’Equipe: “I have always said that I want to play in the Champions League one day. But I appreciate what Stuttgart has given me.”