Manchester City were prepared to offer €100m for Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, but the proposed move ended before the two clubs entered formal negotiations after the player rejected the approach.
The first enquiry from Manchester City came in March, according to Bayern & Germany, which cited German journalists familiar with the situation. The Premier League club were willing to put forward a fee of €100m for Pavlovic, but the 22-year-old midfielder immediately made it clear that he did not want to leave Bayern Munich.
Because of Pavlovic’s decision, Manchester City and Bayern Munich never reached the stage of official discussions over a transfer. The proposed offer therefore remained an approach rather than becoming a formal bid negotiated between the clubs.
Pavlovic is understood to feel comfortable in Munich and wants to continue his career with Bayern Munich. His ambition is to win the Champions League with the German club, a priority that contributed to his decision to turn down Manchester City’s interest.
The midfielder’s current contract with Bayern Munich runs until 2029, giving the club long-term control over his future. With the player settled at the club and unwilling to pursue a move, Manchester City had to look elsewhere for a midfield signing.
The English club subsequently turned their attention to Ayoub Bouaddi. Manchester City eventually signed the player from Lille for €95m.
The sequence of events meant Manchester City moved from a potential €100m offer for Pavlovic to a €95m deal for Bouaddi, while Pavlovic remained with Bayern Munich. No formal negotiations took place between Manchester City and Bayern Munich because of the player’s immediate refusal.
Pavlovic’s position also underlined the importance of his existing relationship with Bayern Munich. Despite reported interest from one of England’s leading clubs and the prospect of a substantial transfer fee, he chose to stay in Munich and pursue success with the German side.
The report does not indicate that Bayern Munich rejected Manchester City’s proposed approach. Instead, the transfer failed to progress because Pavlovic himself did not wish to leave, meaning the clubs were never given the opportunity to discuss the terms of a possible deal.
Manchester City’s alternative was Bouaddi, whose eventual €95m move from Lille provided the club with a different solution in midfield. Pavlovic, meanwhile, remains contracted to Bayern Munich through to 2029 and is focused on competing for the Champions League with the club.