French World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard has completed a shock move to Olympique de Marseille on loan from Inter Milan. The deal, revealed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, includes a €16 million buy option clause, though it is not mandatory, giving OM the flexibility to decide on a permanent transfer next summer.
The experienced defender, who lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, only joined Inter from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023. However, Pavard’s time in Italy has been short-lived, and he now returns to Ligue 1 football, where he first rose to prominence before his Bundesliga success.
Marseille, struggling for consistency in Ligue 1 and facing a tough European campaign, see Pavard as a crucial reinforcement to stabilize their defense. Known for his versatility, Pavard can operate both as a right-back and a central defender, a trait that will undoubtedly provide tactical flexibility to the OM backline.
The move has sparked excitement among Marseille fans, who greeted the announcement with enthusiasm, seeing Pavard’s arrival as a statement of ambition. Having won titles at Bayern and Inter, his experience at the highest level could prove invaluable as OM aim to challenge Paris Saint-Germain domestically and make a deeper run in Europe.
