Barcelona Eyes Champions League Finalist Star to Strengthen Defensive Line
Barcelona have allegedly been "presented" with an opportunity to acquire Champions League runner-up Benjamin Pavard, following the departure of Iñigo Martínez to Al Nassr.
Hansi Flick's Barcelona came close to reaching their first Champions League final in ten years last season, but Francesco Acerbi's late goal paved the way for Inter's thrilling extra-time victory.
Pavard missed both matches of the legendary semifinal clash against the future La Liga winners, but featured in Simone Inzaghi's starting lineup for the final in Munich, where Inter suffered a crushing 5–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the title match.
Milan has experienced significant changes this summer, with Inzaghi leaving at the campaign's conclusion and being succeeded by former Nerazzurri defender Cristian Chivu. Although the new manager is unlikely to implement major systematic changes, recent Italian media reports indicate Inter are prepared to sell Pavard, who arrived from Bayern Munich in 2023.
The French defender has had a productive two-year stint in Italy, but may be seeking new opportunities elsewhere. While teams like Galatasaray, Marseille and Saudi Pro League clubs have been mentioned as potential destinations, SPORT reports that Barcelona could emerge as a late summer possibility for Pavard, given Martínez's exit.
The article claims that the player's representative, Pini Zahavi, recently held discussions with president Joan Laporta, fueling speculation. Zahavi also represents Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski and manager Hansi Flick, under whom Pavard previously served at Bayern.
The Barcelona manager has suggested that no replacement for Martínez will be secured before the transfer deadline, as the club's immediate focus remains on completing the registrations of Wojciech Szczęsny, Gerard Martín, Marc Bernal, and Roony Bardhji. They barely managed to register Joan García and Marcus Rashford ahead of their La Liga season opener this weekend.
Barcelona simply cannot finance an expensive signing like Pavard, and would prefer to pursue a left-footed defender late in the transfer period should the right opportunity emerge.