Liverpool are one of the main teams looking to sign Benjamin Pavard according to a new report.
The 2018 World Cup winner with France is currently at Bayern Munich but it is considered a high possibility that he will leave the German champions this summer with only a year to run on his current contract and reportedly has no desire to sign a new one.
The 27 year-old is seen as a versatile defender, who is usually deployed as a right-back but is more than comfortable in playing in a central defensive role.
While the focus for the Reds in the summer transfer window is undoubtedly regenerating the midfield, there has been a bit of speculation in regards to adding some depth to the defence
While the club have stated they are not looking at right-back cover this summer, Jurgen Klopp did say there is an option to bring in the right kind of player in the central defence position.
“Yes, if there is a good one (centre-back) out there, I would not deny it. That's all. We look at all areas of the pitch, definitely.”
BILD via (Liverpool Echo) reports that the Reds are ‘hot candidates’ to sign Pavard with some of the elite clubs in European Football in Real Madrid, Barcelona, both Manchester clubs and Inter Milan also showing interest.
The signing of Calvin Ramsey last season was seen as a move that would provide cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold if he needed a rest or out through an injury.
But the young Scot had a first season he would want to forget only making two appearances due to long term injuries at the beginning and end of the campaign therefore not allowing him to build any kind of momentum.
It meant that Joe Gomez and James Milner deputised for Alexander-Arnold when he was not in the starting line-up.
While the duo filled the role ably, they were much better served in their regular positions of central defence and midfield respectively.
And this is where bringing someone like Pavard makes a deal of sense, a player with a wealth of big game experience both at club and international level and admittedly still in his prime years.
And by all accounts with a not too hefty price tag attached, somewhere in the region of £25-35 million.
Last season for Bayern, Pavard made 43 appearances in all competitions where 23 come at the heart of defence with the other 20 on the right-flank.
That versatility would also come in handy if a player such as Joel Matip decides to move on in the near future meaning that the club wont need to fork out a massive sum on his replacement, with the Frenchman able to play that central role.
Or indeed if Alexander-Arnold continues in his current hybrid role or becomes a full time midfielder.
And in time Ramsey will hopefully be clear of his injury setbacks and young Northern Irishman Conor Bradley would be pressing for senior selection, meaning there is more competition for spots.
We have seen the most successful clubs throughout history have a squad that has a great deal of depth and flexibility.
With Liverpool looking to be recover from an underachieving season and aiming to mount a league challenge next season, bringing in a player who ticks a fair few boxes and with a title winning pedigree of his own could make a deal of sense.
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