VfB Stuttgart Sports Director Michael Reschke ruled out any chance of a deal for defender Benjamin Pavard this summer, reports the Stuttgarter-Nachrichten. The 22-year-old has impressed for France at the 2018 World Cup and could become a ‘sought-after defender’ as a result of his performances in Russia. Manchester United have been linked, but Reschke’s quotes are a blow.
The Red Devils are shopping for a long-term replacement for Antonio Valencia and signed Diogo Dalot from FC Porto earlier this summer, but they may need another right-back? Valencia only has 12 months remaining on his deal at Old Trafford and is likely to leave the club in 2019 as he’ll be 33 years of age.
Pavard joined Stuttgart from LOSC Lille in 2016 and has gone on to make 57 appearances in all competitions. The defender, who can play right-back and centre-back, was a regular at the Mercedes-Benz Arena last season, featuring in all 34 Bundesliga games for the German outfit. He’s got nine caps for the French national team and has risen to prominence in the last few weeks.
The Sun believe United aren’t trusting enough of the young Dalot to allow him to be Valencia’s direct replacement, leading to their interest of Pavard, but the Stuttgart director has made it clear that the defender isn’t for sale regardless. “Benjamin Pavard was already in the focus of the big clubs as a Bundesliga player,” Reschke said.
“That has now increased once again. We want to keep the player. Let’s wait, what the next weeks and months bring. We will definitely not sell Benjamin Pavard this year for 50 million euros (but) will do everything to ensure that he plays with us for another year.
“We are ready to find a solution for 1 July 2019. With a club that works cleanly and correctly with us. Benjamin Pavard will once belong to the best defensive players in the world. We knew that he has outstanding technical skills that such a shot too his repertoire, but so far he has kept quite a secret from us.”
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