Barcelona are still on the lookout for a new right-back heading into the summer, although it is not at the top of the priority list at the moment.
Several low-cost names such as Ivan Fresneda (Real Valladolid) and Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord) continue to be linked, while Joao Cancelo remains high on the agenda as well.
However, according to a fresh report from German journalist Christian Falk (via Caught Offside), Barcelona were and are interested in Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, who is on the market this summer.
The Catalans have been linked with a move for the Frenchman for months together now, although the links had gone quiet of late, especially with reports suggesting that Pavard wished to play as a centre-back moving forward.
However, Falk writes that Barcelona continue to hold an interest in Pavard, but are not the only top team pursuing his services.
Indeed, as per the report, Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City are also looking at the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner as a target. In fact, there have even been talks with Liverpool although they have not led to anything substantial as of yet.
Liverpool and Pavard. They talked with the agents but have never been concrete with the club and that’s also the positions of the other clubs,” Falk writes.
“There aren’t many clubs which are of interest to Pavard. There was and is Barca, there’s Liverpool, Chelsea, then if City are on the table, City too.”
Pavard, whose current market value stands at €40 million, is entering the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich. As such, he has no desire to renew his contract and is looking for a way out from the Allianz Arena
But as iterated earlier, the right-back position is not seen as an immediate priority by Barcelona even if it is a necessity. Only time will tell if they do act on their continued interest in Pavard and look for different options