Manchester City have made Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard their number one target if Kyle Walker joins the German champions. Walker has given Bayern approval to advance negotiations but a contract has not been finalised and talks over a deal are continuing between the clubs.
Walker, who has one year on his current deal, is open to playing outside England for the first time. The 33-year-old is admired by Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, and was not always a first-choice pick for Pep Guardiola last season. He had a spell in March and April when he was left out of the first XI and was then a substitute in the Champions League final.
Pavard is six years younger than Walker and a France international. He started 27 Bundesliga games and seven Champions League matches last season and was used slightly more at centre-back than right-back.
City remain keen to sign Josko Gvardiol, another defender, from RB Leipzig. Talks are ongoing after City’s initial offer of €75m (£64.2m) plus add-ons was rejected by Leipzig, who want at least €100m (£85.7m).
