Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich looks on ahead of the pre-season friendly against AS Monaco at Alpenbauer Sportpark in Unterhaching, Germany, August 7, 2023. /CFP
Giuseppe Marotta, CEO of Serie A's Inter Milan, is very positive that the club can acquire French wingback Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday.
"We won't announce Benjamin Pavard as new signing today but… we're in good position," Marotta said. "We're doing our best to sign Pavard, we are ambitious. It's not an illusion, we feel we can make it happen."
Inter have just sweetened the pot for Pavard, raising their bid from 25 million euros (about $27.3 million) to 28 million euros (about $30.5 million) with five million euros (about $5.5 million) of add-ons, according to ClutchPoints, though it still falls short of what Bayern asked for: 30 million euros (about $32.7 million) of guaranteed money.
Benjamin Pavard (R) of Bayern Munich tries to clear the ball out in the DFB Supercup against RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, August 12, 2023. /CFP
Bayern landed Pavard from VfB Stuttgart for 35 million euros in July 2019. Having played 163 games for the German powerhouse since then, he made key contributions to the four Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal trophy and one UEFA Champions League title among other honors the club won in the past four years.
Back in June, Pavard's agent told Bayern that his client wanted to leave, according to Sports Illustrated. Multiple clubs, including Inter and Manchester United, have been linked to the possible transfer since then.
Inter lost a great number of players during the summer transfer window, including goalkeeper Andre Onana and center-back Milan Skriniar. They signed goalie Yann Sommer from Bayern.
Alexis Sanchez of Olympique Marseille dribbles in the Ligue 1 game against Lille at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, France, May 20, 2023. /CFP
Marotta also told Romano that former Inter striker Alexis Sanchez, who is currently a free agent, wants to return to the club.
"[Joaquin] Correa wants to have more space and yes, Sanchez is keen on returning here," Marotta said. "Alexis sent us clear messages about his desire to re-join Inter, it's true."
Sanchez scored 20 goals and 23 assists for Inter in 109 appearances between 2019 and 2022. He played for Olympique Marseille in the 2022-23 campaign and didn't sign with any club in the 2023-24 season.