Bayern Munich reportedly have no intention of selling French defender Benjamin Pavard in January amid suggestions of interest from Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has again been an important player for his German club during the 2022-23 campaign, making 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring four times in the process.
Pavard only has a contract at Allianz Arena until June 2024, though, and the defender recently revealed that he was open to a fresh challenge at this stage of his career.
"For now, I'm focused on the World Cup, on being the best I can be at a very big club, one of the best in the world," Pavard told L'Equipe recently. "I have immense respect for Bayern, I learned there the requirement of a very high level and it is an honour to wear this shirt.
"Afterwards, I have been in Germany for seven years, I have won everything with the club. I'm not against discovering a new project. Maybe now is the time. Why not discover a new country, a new culture? But the sports project must be interesting.
© Reuters
"[I want to] take up new challenges, discover another football, a new culture... but I put the sporting issue above all else.
"I may have been around here, but I'm at a really big club so I'm not going to leave for nothing. I'm not doing a fictional scenario, we'll see what the options are and we'll discuss with Bayern."
According to SPORT1, Pavard's words have not been well received by senior figures at Bayern, with the club struggling to understand why he has spoken so openly about his future.
The report claims that the Bundesliga champions will sit down with the France international after the 2022 World Cup to address his future.
Bayern allegedly have no interest in selling Pavard during the January transfer window, but they would be willing to discuss a possible move ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
© Reuters
The Bundesliga outfit are reportedly not prepared to let any important players leave in the middle of the season, as they are concerned that it would disrupt their challenge for silverware.
Pavard, who has also been linked with a switch to Chelsea, made the move to Bayern from Stuttgart in 2019.
The defender has won three Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal and the Champions League during his time in Munich, making 140 appearances in all competitions, contributing nine goals and 11 assists in the process.
Pavard is currently with the France squad preparing for the World Cup, with Didier Deschamps's side set to open their tournament against Australia on November 22.
