A journalist has said that potential Manchester City target Benjamin Pavard wants to change position, something which isn’t helping him secure a move.
City have identified the French right-back as a potential replacement for Kyle Walker, should the 33-year-old join Bayern Munich.
Walker’s future has been uncertain since the end of the season after he lost his regular starting role in Pep Guardiola’s preferred starting XI.
Guardiola’s four-centre-back system – which he plans to continue using this season – has no room for Walker.
The England international was particularly disappointed to be left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League final last month.
Last week, it was widely reported that Walker had agreed to sign a two-year contract with Bayern Munich after talks with manager Thomas Tuchel.
On Wednesday Walker flew out to Japan for City’s pre-season tour, but only after he reportedly told Guardiola of his desire to join Bayern.
According to Plettenberg City and Bayern are yet to agree although an opening offer is expected soon.
Pavard’s demand might not entirely fit City’s plan
Should Walker leave then City are expected to go after Pavard.
The 27-year-old has one year remaining on his Bayern contract and is keen to leave the club.
Pavard is a player Guardiola is keen on thanks to his versatility and ability to play more centrally.
That tallies with the latest report from transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, who has relayed that Pavard wants to play at centre-back rather than full-back.
“Benjamin Pavard wants to leave, although his insistence on wanting to play centre-half is impacting on the clubs who want him,” Bailey said on the Talking Transfers podcast.
“He isn’t helping his representatives, because I don’t believe many teams see him as an out-and-out centre-half, so I think that is impacting interest in him.”
MCN view: Will that put City off?
The issue here is that City would not want to use Pavard exclusively as a centre-back. While the France international often played there last season, he did so in a back four.
Whether he would be happy to play in a back three, or as the fourth defender who pushed up into midfield, is up for debate.
