Manchester United have allegedly touched base with Bayern Munich to discuss a possible deal for right-back Benjamin Pavard.
The 2018 World Cup winner is out of contract at the Allianz Arena in 2024 and is not thought to have any plans to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga champions.
As a result, Pavard will be free to open pre-contract discussions with foreign teams in January and leave Bayern for nothing at the end of the current campaign should no resolution be reached.
Instead, Thomas Tuchel's side could look to part ways with the 27-year-old for a relatively modest fee this summer, and Man United are believed to be at the head of the queue for his services.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have now made first contact with the Bavarian side to begin negotiations, but Bayern are yet to give the thumbs-up to Pavard leaving the club.
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Romano states that Pavard is keen to leave Bayern and take on a new challenge at this point in his career, and he has categorically ruled out a contract extension at the Allianz Arena.
Amid his uncertain contract situation, Pavard has also been linked with a move to Barcelona, but talk of a possible switch to Camp Nou has cooled in recent weeks.
Chelsea were tipped to move for the former Lille and Stuttgart man earlier this summer, as his versatility would have provided the Blues with an ideal addition to their ailing backline.
Pavard can play as a centre-back or right-back, but Chelsea have Reece James and Malo Gusto competing for starts out wide, while Axel Disasi has reinforced the Blues' ranks in the middle.
Pavard joined Bayern in a €35m (£30.2m) deal in the summer of 2019, and the 27-year-old has 12 goals and 12 assists to show from 162 matches for Tuchel's side in all tournaments.
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The France international has collected 10 major honours at the Allianz Arena, winning four Bundesliga titles in addition to one Champions League, the Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, one DFB-Pokal and two German Super Cups.
An eye-catching 2022-23 season saw Pavard contribute seven goals and one assist from 43 matches in all tournaments, and the 27-year-old could arrive in Manchester as a replacement for Harry Maguire.
West Ham United have had a bid of £30m for the England international accepted by Man United, although it remains to be seen if Maguire will give the green light to a move to the London Stadium.
Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe have already left the Red Devils this summer, though, while Eric Bailly is also expected to head for the exit door in what remains of the summer window.
Man United begin their Premier League season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night, while Bayern - who signed Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday - take on RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup on Saturday night.
Ben Knapton
