Marseille will not trigger buy option for Inter loanee Benjamin Pavard
Quick summary
Reports from France say Marseille have decided not to make Benjamin Pavard's loan move permanent. The defender is now expected to return to Inter at the end of the season.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceBenjamin Pavard’s loan spell at Marseille is set to end without a permanent transfer, with RMC Sport reporting that the French club have decided against triggering their purchase option for the World Cup winner.
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The Frenchman returned to his home country last summer on loan from Inter with considerable fanfare, expected to bring experience, leadership and defensive reliability to a Marseille side with genuine ambitions.
Instead, his campaign has fallen well short of expectations on multiple fronts.
According to reports from France, via FCInter1908 , Pavard has failed to meet the standards demanded of him in terms of both performance and attitude, becoming, in the eyes of many supporters, a symbol of the club’s broader frustrations this season.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Benjamin Pavard of Internazionale controls the ball during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Marseille rule out permanent move for Inter owned Pavard The situation has deteriorated to the point where Marseille have apparently ruled out a permanent move even at a reduced fee, despite having the option to negotiate a lower buyout figure with Inter.
The final decision may ultimately rest with incoming leadership at the club, but the current direction of travel leaves little room for doubt.
Pavard will therefore return to Inter at the end of the season, where his future will need to be resolved.
With the Nerazzurri already planning a significant summer overhaul, including changes in defence following the expected departures of several out-of-contract players, where Pavard fits into Cristian Chivu’s plans, if at all, remains an open question.
Another loan move looks the most likely outcome, though finding a club willing to take on a player whose stock has fallen considerably during his time in Ligue 1 may prove more difficult than anticipated.
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What happened
RMC Sport reports that Marseille will not activate their option to buy Benjamin Pavard after his loan from Inter. Pavard had returned to France with high expectations but is said to have disappointed both in performance and attitude. Marseille are reportedly unwilling to proceed even at a reduced fee, although a final call could depend on incoming club leadership. He is therefore expected to rejoin Inter, where his long-term future remains uncertain amid planned defensive changes.
Chance analysis
This matters mainly as a squad-planning and player-value signal rather than an immediate match event. Marseille's decision suggests Pavard has not delivered the defensive stability expected, while Inter may now have to absorb a returning player who is not clearly central to their next-cycle plans. That creates uncertainty around both clubs' summer defensive planning.
Pavard's return to Inter increases offseason uncertainty for both Marseille's defence planning and Inter's squad management.
Treat this as a medium-confidence transfer/squad-planning signal that raises uncertainty around Pavard's role and both clubs' defensive depth outlook.