Benjamin Pavard will return to Inter Milan on July 1st after Olympique de Marseille decided against exercising their option to buy the French defender, according to reports in Italy. Pavard spent the 2023-24 season on loan with the Ligue 1 club, but a permanent move has not materialized.
The move comes after a complex period for Pavard at Inter, initially joining from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 with high expectations from then-manager Simone Inzaghi. He contributed to Inter’s Serie A title win, securing their second star, though their Champions League campaign ended in defeat against Manchester City. However, following Inzaghi’s departure and the appointment of Cristian Chivu as a potential successor, Pavard’s role within the team became uncertain, with Chivu reportedly favoring a different profile of central defender, ultimately leading to the loan to Marseille.
Financial considerations also played a role in the decision, as Pavard commands a substantial salary of €5 million net per season, making him one of the highest earners at the club. Inter welcomed the opportunity to reduce their wage bill, and Marseille’s decision not to trigger the €15 million release clause means Inter will again be responsible for that salary.
The situation was further complicated by off-field events during Inter’s pre-season tour in the United States. While the team was competing in the Club World Cup, Pavard cited a technical injury as reason for not travelling, but subsequently posted images on social media of himself playing padel in Sardinia alongside AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez. This prompted a strong reaction from the Inter squad, with captain Lautaro Martinez reportedly sending a message stating that players who did not want to remain at the club should leave. It appears this contributed to the final decision to allow Pavard to depart. Despite a disappointing season with Marseille, Pavard is now set to return to Milan, though his future at the club remains uncertain.
