Manchester City target Pavard after Walker approves Bayern talks

Manchester City have made Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard their number-one target if Kyle Walker joins the German champions. Walker has given Bayern approval to advance negotiations but a contract has not been finalised and talks over a deal are continuing between the clubs.

Walker, who has one year on his contract, is open to playing outside England for the first time. The 33-year-old is admired by Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, and was not always a first-choice pick for Pep Guardiola last season. He had a spell in March and April when he was left out of the first XI and was then a substitute in the Champions League final.

Pavard is six years younger than Walker and a France international. He started 27 Bundesliga games and seven Champions League matches last season and was used slightly more at centre-back than right-back.

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City remain keen to sign Josko Gvardiol, another defender, from RB Leipzig. Talks are continuing after City’s initial offer of €75m (£64.2m) plus add-ons was rejected by Leipzig, who want at least €100m.