Chelsea may be keen to accelerate their interest in Benjamin Pavard given the high regard Robert Lewandowski holds his Bayern Munich teammate in.
The Blues are understood to be targeting the versatile France international, 26, this summer as they prioritise signing new defenders. They have been left light at the back following the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
With Thomas Tuchel’s side set for an imminent overhaul, it is likely that at least two new centre-backs will arrive at Stamford Bridge, with 2018 World Cup -winner Pavard the latest option to catch the eye in West London.
Pavard, a versatile defender who can play centrally and at right-back, has spent the last three years in Munich following his exit from Stuttgart. During that time, he has made 119 appearances, scoring five goals and winning three Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the DFB-Pokal.
Sky Germany, per football.London, have reported that Chelsea are keen on a swoop for Pavard, a player who has made 36 club appearances in each of the last two seasons. When he was first signed by Bayern, Lewandowski was full of praise for his new teammate - and they have since played 107 times together.
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Speaking to Telefoot of Pavard back in 2019, Lewandowski said: “I've already played against him, he is a very good player. For him it will be a new stage, it's a good transfer for Bayern. Before, there were a lot of Spanish players. Now, I'm going to have to learn French.”
Pavard has two years left on his deal at Bayern and joins a lengthy group of defenders credited with transfer interest from Tuchel’s side this summer. That list that includes Juventus ’ Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester City ’s Nathan Ake and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol.
Chelsea are also expected to bring in new wingers following strong links with City’s Raheem Sterling and Leeds’ Raphinha, although they are yet to complete a signing this summer.
Reports on the continent on Tuesday morning claimed that Chelsea had agreed a deal worth up to £43million including add-ons to sign Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes. A capped Portugal international, the 23-year-old had been linked with a move to Wolves, but it is now being understood that Nunes is closing in on a switch to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, potentially departing Stamford Bridge this summer is Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech, who is believed to be a target for Serie A champions AC Milan.
