Manchester United have reportedly had a bid rejected by Bayern Munich for Benjamin Pavard, with Liverpool also keeping tabs on the defender.
According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, the Bundesliga giants have turned down an opening offer from the Red Devils for the French
international, who Liverpool have been linked with all summer.
The 27-year-old defender has been rumoured with a move away from Bayern for most of the window, with Liverpool one of many top sides reportedly
interested in signing Pavard.
However, United have emerged in recent days as a favourite for the former VfB Stuttgart star, with Erik Ten Hag’s side now having a bid rejected by
Bayern for Pavard.
Praised as ‘world-class’ by former Bayern manager Niko Kovac, Pavard would have been a dream defensive signing for Liverpool this summer,
though United’s opening bid could make matters complicated for the Reds.
Liverpool can’t allow United to sign Pavard
Liverpool’s transfer efforts over the last few days have been focused on the likes of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, yet a new defender could be just
as important as a marquee midfield signing.
Which is why United beating the Anfield giants to Pavard would come across as such a blow for Liverpool, with the Bayern star a perfect addition for
the Reds.
Able to play centre-back and right-back, Pavard would be the perfect cover for Liverpool’s backline, and United can’t be allowed to win the race for
the Bayern superstar this summer given his immense quality.
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Liverpool transfer news as ‘offer made’ to $33m star and Moisés Caicedo alternative ‘identified’
Liverpool transfer news: Jürgen Klopp and Jörg Schmadtke might need to scramble a plan together post-Moisés Caicedo and an offer has ‘been
made’ for a $33m man.
Liverpool looks to have ost out in the race for Brighton midfielder Moisés Caicedo with the 21-year-old Ecuadorian appearing to be closer to agreeing
a move to Chelsea instead after a remarkable saga over the last couple of days.
According to The Telegraph, Caicedo will sign for Chelsea for a fee of $146m (£115m/€133m) and the suggestion is that an eight-year contract will be handed out to the player, which might have been a big factor in him wanting to go there.
If that is the case, then the next big question is what happens with Roméo Lavia. The same Telegraph report says that Southampton has received
a bid from Chelsea for Lavia as well and Todd Boehly wants to bring in both players.
If Liverpool missed out on both targets, what would it do then? A new plan would need to be concocted quickly because time is running out in the
summer transfer window as the September 1 deadline edges ever closer.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, with a couple of alternatives to Caicedo and Lavia being
suggested — but neither anywhere near as exciting.
Khéphren Thuram (Nice)
Liverpool looked at French U21 midfielder Khéphren Thuram earlier in the summer but ended up moving for Alexis Mac
Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the Daily Mirror reports that he could become a target again if Caicedo goes to Chelsea.
Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern Munich is another one that is listed as a possibility for the Reds but neither of those players are really holding players
who could play as a number six on their own. Both are much more attack-minded.
Liverpool.com says: Liverpool needs a proper defensive midfielder who can come in and make an impact straight away and Caicedo would
have been the perfect stylistic fit. Neither Thuram nor Gravenberch fits that mold so the likelihood is it will be someone else (quite possibly Lavia,
unless he is following Caicedo to Stamford Bridge).
Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina)
Again, this is a player that has been linked with Liverpool in the past, though it would admittedly be underwhelming to go from Caicedo to Sofyan
Amrabat, who is valued at $33m (£26m/€30m).
It appears, though, that Amrabat will be heading to Manchester United, despite supposedly having been made an offer by Liverpool as the search
for a holding midfielder continues.
The Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has told MUFC Realist TV that Amrabat has an agreement in place to move to Old Trafford, but has also
received offers from Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabia. The player ‘only’ wants Manchester United, though.
Liverpool.com says: If this was a deal that Liverpool really wanted to get done, it could have been done in January or now. The Reds can get
someone better and someone who is more of a long-term prospect, but it remains to be seen who that will be.
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