Barcelona defensive target not considering winter exit, wants to join in the summer

Barcelona, in an attempt to reinforce their team, were planning on making a winter move for Benjamin Pavard. The Frenchman has been a long-term target for the club, and is reportedly keen on joining the Catalans in the summer.

Consequentially, Barça were considering signing him on loan or a slashed price this winter, with his contract set to expire in June.

However, according to a report by the ever-reliable Toni Juanmarti, Pavard’s entourage has confirmed that he will not leave Bayern this winter. The only exit option on his table right now is for the summer.

In 15 appearances, Pavard has scored one goal in Bundesliga for Bayern, while registering no assists. However, his profile is precisely the kind Xavi is looking for, in his right-back.

Jules Kounde has been playing that role to near-perfection, but the Frenchman prefers playing centrally, as is well-documented. Pinning him along with Ronald Araujo in central defence could sort out Barcelona’s backline for nearly a decade.

Pavard is not the only name on Barça’s table to reinforce the right-back position. They are also reportedly following Villarreal’s Juan Foyth and LA Galaxy’s Julian Araujo.

With the Pavard move pretty much out of the question now, Barcelona will shift their attention elsewhere to reinforce the team.

Sofyan Amrabat has emerged as one of the leading rumours for the deadline day. The player has missed training with Fiorentina today after the club turned down a loan-plus-buy offer from Barcelona worth nearly €40 million.

The Moroccan wants to join Barcelona, and the club is considering improving their offer to tempt the Serie A outfit into a deadline-day move.

Meanwhile, a court in Spain has also ordered La Liga to register Gavi’s new contract with the senior team after the league had initially rejected the proposal from Barcelona.

More movement awaits on deadline day.