Benatia: How Marseille landed deal for Inter’s Pavard after months of negotiations

Olympique de Marseille sporting director Mehdi Benatia has given an explanation as to how the French side landed a deal for Inter defender Benjamin Pavard after several months of negotiations, featuring an assist from now-Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot. 

Marseille signed Pavard from Inter on the final day of the summer transfer window, acquiring the 2018 World Cup winner on loan with an option to buy for €15m shortly after the Nerazzurri landed a deal for Manuel Akanji on similar terms with Manchester City. 

• Read more: Why Inter sacrificed Pavard and not Bisseck 

Though Pavard only left San Siro to join Marseille on deadline day, Benatia has explained that negotiations were already taking place in April. 

How Marseille landed Pavard deal with Inter 

“I’d been in contact with Pavard’s agents for some time, since April,” Benatia told Ligue 1+ (reported via fcinter1908.it). 

“I knew he wanted to come to Marseille. He let it be known in May. We also had a lunch with Adrien Rabiot, he confirmed Pavard’s desire to join us to me on that occasion as well.” 

Benatia went on to explain why Marseille did not close the transfer with Inter until the final day of the summer transfer window if they felt were able to complete a deal back in May. 

“It was a bit complicated for us when I spoke to Inter at that time: High wages, expensive transfers, we couldn’t close it immediately. 

“Things changed as the weeks went by and when it became possible for us, I picked up the phone. 

“It was easy for him, because he had a big desire to come. It was simple: He was getting off the plane for national team duty, he called me back straight away because he couldn’t wait to join. 

“We’re happy to have players like this: He’s a good guy and he will bring us a lot.”