Benjamin Pavard Reportedly Offered to Barcelona in Latest Transfer Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard. 

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness), agents for the player have been in touch with the La Liga champions about a possible switch, and Barcelona believe the full-back is an "interesting" option at the moment.

It's added that the France international has a release clause of €35 million (£31 million) in his contract with the Bundesliga side that becomes active at the end of the current season. Barcelona would reportedly face stiff competition from Bayern Munich to sign Pavard.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona would only push for a transfer if they decided to consider Sergi Roberto as a midfielder. The Spain international has featured primarily as a right-back in recent years, while Nelson Semedo is also in the squad to provide competition for the role.

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Nonetheless, Pavard has established himself as one of the brightest full-back prospects in European football. On the back of a fine season in the Bundesliga, he forced his way into the France squad for the FIFA World Cup and impressed in a victorious Les Bleus side at right-back.

Pavard has spoken about potentially operating as a centre-back in the future, while he also admitted he has dreams of playing for a club as big as Barcelona:

The fact that the Frenchman is considering different options at the age of 22 is indicative of the talent he has. 

With Kylian Mbappe often roaming from the right of midfield ahead of him, there were times when Pavard was left a little exposed against sides such as Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium and Croatia. But in the main he dealt with that challenge well, showcasing excellent positioning and anticipation up against high-class operators.

What he also does well is venture forward, and Pavard scored what was eventually voted as the goal of the tournament, as he struck a swirling first-time shot from the corner of the penalty area in the 4-3 win over Argentina:

Pavard is still young and learning about his game, so there will be no huge rush for him to move on. At Stuttgart he will continue to play regularly and progress without the unrelenting focus that comes with playing for one of the giants of the European scene.

Should his career continue on an upward trajectory there will no doubt be grander names taking a look at the Frenchman, and the buyout clause mentioned will feel like a bargain for such a talented operator.