Rummenigge: Pavard not needed as Boateng replacement

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claims the club's depth in defence means Benjamin Pavard will not be joining from Stuttgart.

Published : Aug 01, 2018 16:18 IST

Bayern Munich will not sign Benjamin Pavard even if Jerome Boateng leaves for Paris Saint-Germain, according to chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The Bundesliga champion has been strongly linked with World Cup winner Pavard, a player Niko Kovac admires.

Rumours of its interest have been tied to reports of Germany mainstay Boateng's likely move to PSG, which would rob Bayern's defence of 76 caps worth of international experience.

Rummenigge, however, insists the versatile Pavard, who has spent the past two seasons with Stuttgart, is not required as a replacement.

"No. We have [Mats] Hummels, we have [Niklas] Sule, we have [Javi] Martinez who can play in central defence, [David] Alaba and two young players, Lukas Mai and Chris Richards. There is a lot of quality," the former West Germany forward told Sport Bild.

Rummenigge's comments came after he had forcefully denied Robert Lewandowski would be sold, insisting the club would reject offers of up to €150 million.

Head coach Kovac has also affirmed his desire to keep the prolific Poland striker at Allianz Arena.

"I predict today: Lewandowski will play a super season and surpass his [single-season] goal record of 30 [league] goals at Bayern Munich. He'll accelerate like never before," Rummenigge said.

Bayern commences its Bundesliga title defence at home to Hoffenheim on August 24.

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