With Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard likely to complete his move to Inter imminently, the Bundesliga giants are looking towards the Nerazzurri’s cross-city rivals as they seek a replacement to fill the void and are considering AC Milan‘s Pierre Kalulu as an option to replace his compatriot.
Milan, however, aren’t particularly keen to discuss a deal this late in the transfer window as it would leave them with very little time to identify and then agree a move for a replacement for Kalulu.
Could Pierre Kalulu leave AC Milan for Bayern Munich?
It seems that the Benjamin Pavard transfer saga is on the verge of reaching a conclusion as Bayern Munich have at last given the green light for the 27-year-old to join Inter for a hefty fee of €30 million with a further €2m in add-ons.
The France Men’s National Team player has travelled to Northern Italy in order to undergo his medical ahead of signing a contract with Inter. With time running out in the summer transfer market, Bayern Munich are trying to act swiftly to bring in a replacement.
Sky Sport Italia reports, via Calciomercato, that Kalulu is one of the targets they have identified to reinforce Thomas Tuchel‘s defence.
Inter and Pavard grew frustrated with Bayern Munich
Despite both Bayern Munich and Inter having reached an agreement in principle on the fee for Pavard to depart for the Biscione, Tuchel was unwilling to let the 27-year-old depart until an ideal replacement was secured, causing the move to stall.
That led to Pavard taking matters into his own hands and refusing to train with the Bayern Munich first-team in an attempt to force his move to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
With time against them, Inter themselves became irritated by the stalling talks and started to turn their attention towards Torino‘s Perr Schuurs as an alternative to Pavard.
But with Pavard set to see his deal in Bavaria expire in 2024, the Bundesliga champions opted to let the 2018 World Cup winner leave this summer after five years at the club in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer in a year’s time.
Is Thomas Tuchel a fan of Pierre Kalulu?
Bayern Munich coach Tuchel rates Kalulu highly as the 23-year-old offers versatility at the back, with his ability to play at centre-back or as a full-back on either side of the pitch.
But AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has made it clear that he has no intentions of letting his Frenchman leave with such little time left in the window. It should also be noted that Bayern are not the only side to have shown interest, with Premier League clubs having sniffed around Kalulu this summer as well.
Since joining the Rossonerri from Lyon in 2020, the Kalulu has grown into a talented defender and has played an important role under Pioli, helping the side to their 2021/22 Serie A title.
Chelsea‘s Trevoh Chalobah and Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida are other options for Bayern.
