VfB Stuttgart sports director Michael Reschke has warned clubs that they won’t be willing to sell Tottenham target Benjamin Pavard for less than £26.5million, in an interview with Bild.
Reschke expressed his club’s determination to keep the 21-year-old centre-back at the club and revealed that they would turn down offers of £26.5m for him, even though the German newspaper believe he is worth only £10million in the current market.
“Benjamin Pavard is clearly on the way from an exceptional talent to an international top player,” stated Reschke.
We are currently the ideal club for him – and he feels that too.
“Once, in the future, a club in the European top 10 has a real interest in a commitment, we will be serious, Benjamin and his advisor know that.
“If now in the summer a club believes he can commit him for 30 million euros (£26.5million) transfer fee, this club was wrong, we would not even open the door for a conversation.”
Pavard has made 28 appearances for Stuttgart across all competitions this season, and is contracted to stay at the club until 2021.
Bild cite Liverpool, Tottenham, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund as being interested in the central defender, and Bild previously reported last month that Spurs scouts had watched him play during the 3-2 victory over Cologne.
Good move for Tottenham Hotspur?
Yes.
Pavard is one of the best young centre-backs in Europe and he could be an asset for Mauricio Pochettino’s side for many seasons to come.
The 21-year-old puts in assured mature performances for his age at the heart of the Bundesliga’s club defence and there’s no reason to suggest he couldn’t do the same in the Premier League.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
No.
While Spurs do have the potential to pay well above £26.5million in order to tempt the German club into selling, it’s not something Daniel Levy would normally consider doing.
Levy is known for being a tough negotiator and it’s hard to see him paying well over double the defender’s current market value in order to sign him.
This is Futbol rating: 1/10