Benjamin Pavard’s tenure with Inter Milan is nearing its conclusion. The French defender is slated to return to the club this summer, but only to be immediately transferred. This comes after a disappointing loan spell at Marseille and a significant fallout within the Inter dressing room, which has proven irreparable.
According to reports from Tuttosport, via FCInter1908, Marseille will not be exercising their €15 million purchase option. Consequently, Pavard will return to Inter with two years remaining on his contract, which pays €5 million per season. This considerable wage makes him a challenging prospect to sell.
Inter Milan has already communicated to the player that his continued presence at the club is not part of their future plans.
Padel Incident with Theo Hernandez Marked the Point of No Return for Pavard at Inter
The relationship between Pavard and Inter began to sour during the Club World Cup. While Pavard was sidelined with an ankle injury, photos emerged of him playing padel alongside Theo Hernandez, who was then with AC Milan, while Inter was participating in the tournament.
This incident had a detrimental impact, and the reaction from the dressing room was immediate and negative. This rift with his teammates preceded a formal falling out with the club. Although Pavard featured in the opening Serie A match of the season against Torino, his departure from Inter was by this point almost a certainty.
He was subsequently loaned to Marseille, where he failed to make a significant impression. Inter, meanwhile, moved on without him, successfully recruiting Akanji to fill his role.
Pavard is expected to return to Inter’s training ground, Appiano Gentile, this summer, but this will be a temporary arrangement as the club seeks a new destination for him. His chapter with Inter Milan is definitively closed.
English Translation:
Benjamin Pavard’s time at Inter Milan is over, with the French defender set to return to the club this summer only to be moved on immediately after a disappointing loan spell at Marseille and a falling out with the dressing room that proved impossible to repair.
According to Tuttosport, via FCInter1908, Marseille will not exercise their €15 million purchase option, meaning Pavard returns to Inter with two years remaining on a €5 million per season contract, a wage that makes him a difficult sell.
Inter have already made clear to the player that a continuation in Milan is not part of their plans.
The breakdown began during the Club World Cup, when Pavard was sidelined with an ankle injury. Photos emerged of him playing padel alongside Theo Hernandez, then of Milan, while Inter were competing in the tournament.
The optics were damaging and the dressing room reaction was swift. The rift with teammates preceded a formal falling out with the club, and although Pavard started the opening Serie A fixture of the season against Torino, the writing was already on the wall.
He was subsequently loaned to Marseille, where he failed to convince, and Inter moved on without him, signing Akanji in his place to considerable success.
Pavard will return to Appiano Gentile this summer, but only as a temporary arrangement while a new destination is found. His Inter chapter is closed permanently.