The idea of Benjamin Pavard returning to Bayern Munich certainly sparks debate among fans — and recent twists in his career make it even more intriguing. Pavard’s early years in Munich were steady and successful. A versatile defender who could slot in at right-back or center-back, he played a meaningful role in Bayern Munich’s treble-winning 2019/20 season and embodied the club’s tactical discipline. But since leaving, his trajectory has been a rollercoaster rather than a clear uphill climb.
After
a spell at Inter Milan, Pavard was loaned to Olympique de Marseille for the 2025/26 season with a €15 million buy option. Initially it looked like a perfect homecoming — he chose Marseille because he wanted to play in Ligue 1 and be closer to family, even receiving encouragement from compatriot Adrien Rabiot during the move.
However, recent reports suggest things haven’t gone according to plan. Marseille’s project has seen instability in the coaching ranks and mixed results on the pitch, and Pavard’s own form has been inconsistent — even drawing criticism and hampering the likelihood of Marseille triggering the purchase option. More importantly for long-term plans, Inter apparently has no intention of bringing Pavard back if Marseille declines the buy clause and is expected to put him on the market to shed his substantial wage bill.
So could a Bayern Munich reunion work? It could, if Bayern Munich needs a seasoned, adaptable defender to plug gaps in a transitional season on the backline — and if Pavard still offers the level required. But Bayern Munich’s recruitment tends to favor younger profiles or players who fit specific tactical blueprints. Moreover, Pavard’s recent struggles and unsettled situation might give Bayern Munich pause.
However, if Kim Min-jae leaves and Bayern Munich is looking for a relatively inexpensive, veteran option, which can play multiple roles, Pavard could be at least an idea.
In short, though, a return isn’t impossible, but it would need to make sense as a future-facing football decision rather than just a sentimental homecoming of a player you might be able to get for a discounted rate.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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