Inter’s Final Push for Defensive Reinforcement: Pursuing Pavard While Eyeing Premier League Alternatives

As the transfer window approaches its final days, Inter Milan finds itself in a precarious position. The Nerazzurri are pushing hard to secure Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, but with negotiations dragging on, the club is simultaneously exploring backup options, including Tottenham Hotspur’s Japhet Tanganga. It’s a textbook case of “riding the donkey while looking for a horse,” as Inter desperately seeks to fill a crucial defensive void before the window slams shut.

German Sky Reports Shutdown, But Uncertainty Remains

On the evening of August 24, German outlet Sky Sports reported that Bayern Munich had decided to pull the plug on Pavard's move to Inter, claiming the deal was off. This development left many Inter fans—who had eagerly climbed the transfer rumor tree—disappointed. However, those familiar with transfer dynamics quickly questioned the credibility of the report.

In recent years, the accuracy of German Sky's transfer news has lagged behind that of Bild, particularly regarding high-profile moves. Throughout the summer window, Sky's reporting on transfers, including Harry Kane’s saga, raised suspicions of biased narratives aimed at either lowering or raising player valuations, making their objectivity questionable.

In contrast, Bild’s transfer expert Christian Falk offered a different perspective: while negotiations between Bayern and Inter remain challenging, with a reported €5 million gap in valuations, talks are still ongoing. Italian Sky Sports and transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio echoed Falk’s sentiments, asserting that Bayern has neither informed Pavard nor Inter of a final decision to block the deal.

The Negotiation Stalemate: Price and Intentions

According to Di Marzio, the gap between Inter’s offer and Bayern’s asking price remains the primary obstacle. Inter’s bid stands at approximately €25 million plus €5 million in easily achievable bonuses, a package that would push the total to the €30 million mark. Meanwhile, Bayern holds firm, seeking closer to €35 million.

Despite the financial differences, Inter has a significant advantage: Pavard’s willingness to join. The 27-year-old Frenchman, a World Cup winner, has expressed his desire to move to Inter—a crucial factor in the deal.

Securing Pavard’s commitment was no small feat. Given his stature as a World Cup-winning defender and the interest from other European giants like Manchester United, Inter had to overcome the perception that the club might be a “small pond” compared to his ambitions. Additionally, with only one year left on his Bayern contract, Pavard could have opted to run down his deal and secure a lucrative free transfer next summer.

However, the Frenchman’s frustration at Bayern has tilted the scales in Inter’s favor. Pavard prefers playing as a center-back, a position where he finds himself behind Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano, and Kim Min-jae in Bayern’s pecking order. Even at right-back, he faces competition from Noussair Mazraoui, whose skill set better aligns with Thomas Tuchel’s tactical preferences.

Inter offers Pavard a compelling proposition: the chance to play as the right center-back in a three-man defense—a role that suits his strengths. Moreover, with the 2024 European Championship on the horizon, regular playing time in his preferred position could bolster Pavard’s chances of being a key figure for France. Financially, Inter can nearly double his current €5 million gross salary, thanks to Italy’s tax incentives for foreign players.

Inter’s Search for Alternatives

While Pavard remains the priority, Inter is not placing all its eggs in one basket. Di Marzio has revealed that Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga is a serious backup option. The versatile defender, capable of playing both as a center-back and right-back, has been “locked in” as an alternative for some time. Inter is merely waiting to see if they can secure Pavard before turning their attention to the Spurs defender.

Tanganga, 24, has struggled for consistent playing time at Tottenham and could be open to a move that offers regular minutes at a high-profile club like Inter. However, his signing would represent a step down from the ambitions associated with Pavard, making it a classic case of “settling” if the primary target slips through Inter’s grasp.

Inzaghi’s Plea for Defensive Reinforcements

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi has remained diplomatic amid the drawn-out negotiations and transfer market turbulence. Speaking ahead of Inter’s Serie A opener, Inzaghi acknowledged the need for reinforcements:

“We know we still need a defender. The club is working hard to address this. Finding the right player in the market isn’t easy. Pavard? He’s a target, I won’t deny it. But we also have other options. We need a player in this important position.”

Inzaghi’s comments reflect a pragmatic understanding of the market realities. His request is not extravagant but rather a reasonable expectation for a team aiming to compete across Serie A, the Champions League, and domestic cup competitions.

Other Names in the Frame

Beyond Tanganga, other defenders have been linked to Inter throughout the summer. Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Atalanta’s Rafael Tolói have all been considered. However, each presents its own challenges:

• Chalobah: Chelsea’s asking price remains high, and the player may prefer staying in the Premier League.
• Tomiyasu: Arsenal values the versatile Japanese defender, making him difficult to pry away.
• Tolói: As Atalanta’s captain and a key figure in their defense, his departure would be unlikely unless Inter offers a substantial fee.

A Race Against Time

With the transfer window closing soon, time is of the essence for Inter’s management. The opening weeks of the Serie A season have already highlighted the need for defensive depth, and securing a high-caliber defender like Pavard would not only bolster the squad but also signal the club’s intent to build on last season’s success, which included reaching the Champions League final.

Inter’s faithful can expect a resolution in the coming days. Whether it’s the dream signing of Benjamin Pavard or a more pragmatic acquisition like Japhet Tanganga, one thing is clear: the Nerazzurri will leave no stone unturned in their quest to strengthen their backline.