Football News: Manchester United 'in pole position to sign Benjamin Pavard'

Manchester United are said to be the frontrunners to sign Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard.

The Premier League heavyweights can boast a successful transfer window, having signed goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Mason Mount, and attacker Rasmus Hojlund.

United are now in a position where they need to facilitate sales in order to improve their position with FFP as a result of spending more than £160 million on three players.

Midfielder Fred appears to be on the verge of joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce, adding to United's need for another defensive-minded player in the engine room.

Nonetheless, with Harry Maguire also highly linked with a move to West Ham United, head coach Erik ten Hag will need to find a replacement for the centre of his defence.

Pavard, who has less than a year left on his contract at the Allianz Arena, has been connected with a number of different teams after previously expressing a desire for a fresh challenge.

According to Sky Sport Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenburg on Twitter, United have moved ahead of the competition to sign the France international.

Plettenburg claims that Pavard is interested in a move to Old Trafford and that he would like to play under Ten Hag.

Negotiations are alleged to have taken place between the sides, with United reportedly being told that Bayern would be willing to sell for €30 million (£25.97 million).

Head coach Thomas Tuchel is thought to want to keep the 27-year-old, but Bayern tend to prefer not to lose a crucial player on a free transfer.

Pavard has nine goals and seven assists in 174 games for Bayern, mostly from right back, although he would certainly be classified as a centre-back if he moved to the Theatre of Dreams.

Ten Hag already has Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, though Ten Hag's plans for Pavard may change if he is sold before the end of August.

Pavard's acquisition would also provide Ten Hag with additional opportunity to play in a back three, as the 2018 World Cup winner has experience playing on the right flank in such system.

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