Fabrizio Romano has been discussing Manchester United making an attempt to sign Benjamin Pavard during the recent transfer window.
After four seasons at Bayern Munich, Benjamin Pavard left this summer for a new challenge, joining Inter Milan.
Prior to swapping the Bundesliga for Serie A, Pavard was strongly linked to Manchester United, with interest mutual on both sides.
Speaking to The United Stand, Fabrizio Romano has explained how close a move came, before being ultimately ended by Harry Maguire‘s decision to stay.
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Manchester United were keen on Benjamin Pavard
Benjamin Pavard was high on Manchester United’s list of replacements for Harry Maguire, who had been expected to sign with West Ham.
The World Cup winner and Champions League winner can play at both centre-back and right-back, with his versatility and experience both counting in his favour.
Romano said: “Pavard wanted to come to Manchester United. The deal was almost done on the player’s side, and was advanced on club side.
“Manchester United were prepared to pay what Inter paid for pavard, something in the region of 30-32 million Euros. So to put the money from Harry Maguire on Benjamin Pavard, they could change their defense, but the deal did not happen because of the Maguire situation.”
Maguire could not be persuaded to leave Manchester United
Sky Sports had reported Pavard was ‘desperate’ to join Manchester United and prepared to fight for the move.
But with Maguire choosing to stay, there was no money to spend on a new centre-back, with United’s only addition at the position being free agent Jonny Evans.
Maguire did not want to drop to a club not playing Champions League football and also take a major dip in salary, Romano claimed.
Pavard, 27, is yet to make his debut for Inter, and could do so in the upcoming Milan derby this coming Saturday.
Maguire has played only once for Manchester United this season, appearing as a substitute, along with Evans, in the recent clash away at Arsenal.
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