Manchester United were well prepared to sign Benjamin Pavard in the summer, but the deal collapsed as they could not offload Harry Maguire.
According to Dharmesh Sheth via GIVEMESPORT, Manchester United were keen on having Benjamin Pavard in their ranks. They were very close to acquiring the services of the 27-year-old defender, but the deal eventually collapsed as the Red Devils failed to offload Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils had an incredible first season under the guidance of Erik ten Hag. And, on the back of it, they went on and splashed close to £200 million in the summer transfer window to bolster their squad. They added Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount to their ranks.
Despite spending millions and signing some top-quality players, the results have not gone their way. They are struggling in all possible departments. Their struggle has highlighted the fact that they should have invested in another defender.
The Red Devils were linked with Benjamin Pavard throughout the summer. They were keen on having him in their ranks and were very close to acquiring the services of the 27-year-old. But, the deal collapsed as Manchester United failed to offload Harry Maguire.
Journalist Dharmesh Sheth said, “When you’re talking about trying to get someone in during the summer and January, it’s very, very different. So I think United probably had a couple of deals, ready to go in the summer. Pavard looked like it was a goer, but it was all dependent on what happened with Maguire.”
“It looked like Maguire was going to leave and it looked like there were going to be good deals for United. They looked like they were going to get a certain amount of money for Maguire, and be able to get a good deal for Pavard, who was entering the final year of his contract.”
Sheth feels Manchester United were very close to landing the 27-year-old at the club who was entering his final year. And, his arrival would have surely bolstered their squad. But, the deal collapsed and Inter managed to sign him for just £25 million.
The journalist revealed that if Manchester United had sold Maguire in the summer, they would have easily landed the French international at the club. The England international was linked with a move to West Ham. The Red Devils would have earned a decent sum from his departure and signing Pavard would have been a very easy task.
But, the Maguire deal collapsing has caused a domino effect, and Manchester United could get their hands on one of their key targets. While the 30-year-old ended up staying at the club, he is still not an important member of ten Hag’s first team. And, he could push for a move away from the club in the winter.
