Chelsea can ruin Ten Hag Man Utd plan with next signing as ‘top-class’ offer presented; third suitors named
Sky Sport Germany have provided the latest on the situation of a Bayern Munich star, with Chelsea and Manchester United battling for him and a new Spanish suitor also joining the pursuit.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is preparing for another busy transfer window involving plenty of new arrivals. He wants to improve the midfield as a priority, but a new striker and right wing-back will also be targeted.
The Blues chief will also have to sort out several departures from Stamford Bridge. After spending over £600m since taking over the club, Graham Potter’s squad is bloated and in need of trimming down before any new signings are made.
According to a recent report from The Athletic, up to 12 Chelsea players could be sold in the summer.
Man Utd probably won’t be involved in as many transfers as Chelsea, although manager Erik ten Hag is still preparing for some big-money deals. He wants a new striker, midfielder and right-back to join the Red Devils.
Chelsea and Man Utd are both in the mix for new players to operate on the right side of defence. Chelsea need someone to provide competition and backup for Reece James and Malo Gusto in preparation for Cesar Azpilicueta hanging up his boots. Man Utd, meanwhile, could do with a replacement for Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
READ MORE: Chelsea start, bench, sell: Assessing the players linked with a summer exit
This is where Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard comes in. He has been looked at by Man Utd for some time, but now it seems Chelsea could land him instead. And the France international is a particularly attractive signing for Chelsea given the fact he can also play as a centre-back.
According to Sky Sport Germany, Pavard is not in contract talks with Bayern. As his current deal at the Allianz Arena expires in June 2024, this sets up the possibility of him getting a transfer this summer.
Chelsea leading Man Utd in chase for Bayern star
Pavard has a ‘top-class’ offer on the table from Chelsea. Thanks to their financial might they can offer him more money in wages than Bayern.
Man Utd have yet to send a contract proposal to the defender, which puts Chelsea ahead of them in the race for his services right now. Of course, the Blues would still need to reach a transfer agreement with Bayern before completing a deal.
Despite Chelsea being in a good position, Boehly still needs to be wary. The report brings up Barcelona as a potential suitor to look out for.
The La Liga giants have not been linked with the 26-year-old before, so it seems they have just gotten in the mix.
Barca’s financial problems mean they cannot spend much on players this summer. But Pavard is on their radar thanks to his contract situation.
Florian Plettenberg, who regularly covers Bayern for Sky Sport Germany, believes it is ’50-50′ whether Pavard leaves this summer or renews his contract in Bavaria. This is because Bayern will not let him run down his contract and depart on a free next summer.
Ten Hag is eyeing Pavard as a potential successor to Dalot and Wan-Bissaka at right-back, but that plan is now under serious threat. Ten Hag may have to watch Pavard line up against him with Chelsea next season, unless he instructs Man Utd to submit a bid.
As always, Barca cannot be ruled out. Despite them not being at their strongest, they still managed to lure Robert Lewandowski away from Bayern.
