Manchester United remains highly active in the transfer market, as the countdown of just over two weeks compels them to secure fresh talent. The latest update in the team’s pursuit of a defensive target has come to light.

The latest news in the realm of Man United transfers reveals that the club is poised to expedite their efforts in securing a new defender, according to reliable sources from Sky Sports News.

The individual under the spotlight is none other than Benjamin Pavard, the central defender from Bayern Munich. The momentum of this potential deal could potentially surge if Harry Maguire departs before the closing of the transfer window. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.

Sky Sports unveiled this development on their real-time transfer center, articulating:

“In the event of Maguire’s departure, Manchester United is prepared to hasten negotiations with Bayern Munich for the services of Benjamin Pavard. The two clubs have engaged in initial discussions, yet a formal offer remains pending.

Pavard, who currently resides in the final year of his contract with the German champions, is purportedly inclined towards the move.”

This week, the Daily Mail further substantiated this claim, asserting that the player himself is actively advocating for the move. Notably, the Bundesliga powerhouse anticipates a price tag of at least £26 million to facilitate the departure of their player.

Despite securing all three points from their inaugural showdown with Wolves at the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag must find himself somewhat underwhelmed by the performance displayed by his squad in the Premier League.

In the tête-à-tête with their visitors from the West Midlands, Gary O’Neill’s side emphatically asserted their dominance, evident in the statistical superiority across various aspects including shots on target, counter-attacks, duels conquered, and dribbles executed, as well as a greater success rate in tackles, interceptions, and other vital metrics, as meticulously tracked by SofaScore.

Although Wolves were left wanting in the goal department, their ease in slicing through the midfield and defense of the Red Devils poses a considerable concern. This translates into the fact that the visitors enjoyed an abundance of goal-scoring opportunities, much more than what should have been afforded by the home support at Man United.

Hence, the timing of securing Pavard—a player previously lauded as a “team player” by Bayern’s helm, Thomas Tuchel—couldn’t be more impeccable for Ten Hag. The Dutch tactician finds himself ardent to enhance his team’s ball retention and defensive prowess.

This World Cup-winning Frenchman stands among the upper echelon of ball-playing center-backs in the upper strata of the European leagues. He ranks in the upper decile of his positional peers across various categories, including tackles, progressive carries, and creative actions. This data, as per FBref, paints a telling picture.

In an illuminating juxtaposition of Pavard’s performance versus Maguire’s during the previous season, the Bundesliga stalwart decidedly outperforms his positional counterpart across several pivotal attributes. Notable among these are pass accuracy (88.3% against 85.1%), aerial duels won (66% against 53.2%), and a higher average of tackles, interceptions, blocks, and progressive passes per 90 minutes played.

In light of these revelations, securing an agreement with Bayern this summer could potentially solidify the backline. The inaugural fixture against Wolves reveals a palpable need for a dependable defender, and in Pavard, Man United might just unearth a valuable asset capable of stepping in for Maguire. 

The spotlight falls on Manchester United’s ambitious endeavors in the transfer arena, particularly concerning their pursuit of Benjamin Pavard. As the clock ticks on the transfer window, the narrative could shift significantly, spelling out the fate of this potential addition to the Red Devils’ roster. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.