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Liverpool’s summer transfer plans have been boosted after one of Jurgen Klopp’s main targets Benjamin Pavard has informed Bayern Munich of his desire to depart the German giants.
French international Pavard has spent four seasons with the Bavarian side, helping them win the Champions League in the 2019/20 season. Additionally, with the club he has won the Bundesliga championship in each of the seasons he has played with Bayern, after the side clinched the domestic title by the skin of their teeth this season after defeating Borussia Dortmund on the final day last weekend.
This season, however, the future of the 27-year-old, who won the 2018 World Cup with his nation, has been the subject of intense speculation amid discontent and chaos at Bayern.
Midway through the season, manager Julian Nagelsmann was surprisingly replaced by ex-Dortmund, PSG and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, and CEO Oliver Kahn departed mere moments after the club won the league championship.
Liverpool were among the clubs that enquired about the star this season, with Kicker reporting that Pavard’s versatility as a central defender and full back piqued the Merseyside club’s interest. And given that Reds manager Klopp has made no secret of his desire to add reinforcements this summer, the acquisition of a world-class defender would be a welcome addition.
Pavard Fuels Liverpool Optimism After Revealing Intent to Depart Bayern Munich
Pavard has signaled his intention to quit Bayern, as reported by Bild, bringing the possibility of joining Liverpool one step closer. With only one year remaining on his contract, the club is likely to cash in on the former Stuttgart player this summer rather than letting him depart on a free transfer in a year.
The English club’s inability to offer the player Champions League football in 2023/24 could impede a transfer however. The 2019/20 Premier League champions will instead compete in the Europa League due to their disappointing fifth-place finish.
Not only have Liverpool been linked to the German giant’s defender, but Klopp’s outfit is also pursuing Bayern’s Ryan Gravenberch, a midfielder who has failed to make the expected impression since leaving Ajax. Due to the Reds’ inability to recruit Jude Bellingham, their interest in the Dutch international has increased as they seek to improve their midfield depth.
The Reds are also rumored to be pursuing Brighton’s World Cup winning playmakerAlexis Mac Allister, and are also in the hunt for Sporting CP’s Manuel Ugarte.
Moreover, a number of players are leaving the field to make room for potential reinforcements.
Sunday’s 4-4 draw at Southampton was Roberto Firmino, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-final Chamberlain’s appearance for Liverpool. And having been injured for the majority of the season, Naby Keita has also played his last game for the club, with Fabio Carvalho now reportedly expressing his desire to pursue first-team football elsewhere.
This means that not only must Klopp and Liverpool improve upon their squad depth, but must also replace the players they are losing come this June.
Recent reports have also pointed out Liverpool’s aging squad and younger legs will have to be brought in so that Jurgen Klopp’s high pressing, high energy “heavy metal football” can be played consistently.
The pressure will be on the Reds’ recruitment department and Klopp to perform a successful transfer window in order to compete for silverware and Champions League football next season.
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