City were prepared to pay as much as €100m for Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic before the Germany international decided against a move to the Etihad Stadium, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg says City had been pushing to sign the 22-year-old since March, with concrete talks taking place over a possible move.
Bayern were reportedly informed that City were prepared to go as high as €100m, although Plettenberg says negotiations between the two clubs never took place.
Pavlovic considered Man City move
Plettenberg reports that Manchester City identified Pavlovic as a major midfield target well before their subsequent moves for Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez.
According to the German journalist, Pavlovic was flattered by City’s interest and considered the possibility of making the move.
He ultimately decided against leaving Bayern, meaning the proposed transfer went no further and formal negotiations between the clubs weren’t required.
The timing offers an interesting glimpse into City’s plans for their midfield rebuild.
Pavlovic was apparently being pursued months before Maresca’s squad took its eventual shape, with City willing to commit a significant fee to bring the Germany international to Manchester.
Instead, Pavlovic remained in Munich and City turned elsewhere as they reshaped the midfield available to Maresca.
Plettenberg’s account doesn’t suggest that City have revived their interest or intend to return for Pavlovic. It does, however, show how differently their summer business might have developed had the midfielder given the proposed move his approval.
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