Barcelona target cut-price move for wantaway Bayern Munich star Benjamin Pavard in summer transfer window – Paper Round

Barca pursue Pavard

Barcelona are ready to pursue Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard in a bid to solve their problems at right-back. The French full-back is pushing for an exit, but is hoping that Bayern lower their €30-million asking price so he can secure a dream move to Barcelona. Pavard has also been linked with a move to Inter Milan, but Barca are hopeful of pipping their rivals to the signing of Pavard.

“Bayern already tried to place Pavard on the market this January, but the player refused to listen to offers despite Inter pushing hard in the final hours of the transfer window. The Italian club were open to selling Skriniar to PSG if they could get Pavard, but in the end the deal could not be completed due to the French full-back’s refusal to leave at this point. Pavard wants to wait until the summer and is clearly prioritising a move to Barca.

“As the weeks go by and if Pavard is determined to go to Barca, his price will have to come down to a reasonable figure.”

Chelsea youngsters worried

Chelsea’s homegrown youngsters are worried that the club will decide to sell them if they fail to qualify for next season’s edition of the Champions League. The west London club are under threat of Financial Fair Play consequences after their big spending over the past year and the sales of homegrown stars could help relieve their problems.

“Chelsea considered trying to sell the likes of Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the January window, while other academy graduates such as Trevoh Chalobah could face a struggle for game time once all of the injured players return. Mason Mount is yet to sign an extension on his contract that will have one year to run at the end of the season and offers are likely to be considered for Callum Hudson-Odoi once he returns from his loan at Bayer Leverkusen.”

A late failed move for Amrabat

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly launched an ambitious attempt to sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day. The 26-year-old, who starred at the World Cup in Qatar for Morocco, was the subject of interest from Barcelona and Chelsea but eventually ended up staying at the Serie A club.

“The Italian club swiftly informed Boehly this wouldn’t be possible – quoting a large fee for a permanent transfer – and then rebuked him by asking how he’d feel if a club turned up in the closing minutes of a window and tried to poach a Chelsea star.”

Everton to avoid free transfer targets

Everton are “unlikely” to pursue a move for free agent Isco despite the fact that the Toffees did not manage to sign any players in the January transfer window. The Spaniard – who was recently released from his contract at Sevilla – has been linked with a move to the Merseyside club, but it seems like Everton will pass up on the opportunity to sign Isco.