OM Transfer — Benjamin Pavard, behind the scenes of a swift and unexpected deal

A lightning-fast signing worthy of a movie

Who would’ve bet on Benjamin Pavard at OM? And yet, it happened. In just twelve hours, the 29-year-old defender went from Inter Milan’s bench to a signed deal with Marseille. As L’Équipe reveals, it all came together on Monday, in a scenario worthy of the wildest transfer days. A decisive phone call from Mehdi Benatia, a quick response from the player… and an official announcement from Clairefontaine, where Pavard had joined the France squad.

The call that changes everything

That fateful Monday morning, Mehdi Benatia picked up the phone and called Pavard. He laid out Marseille’s project directly, stressing the importance of his versatility in Roberto De Zerbi’s hybrid system. The Olympique director of football knew the stakes were high: after failed moves for Joel Ordónez (Club Brugge) and Lutsharel Geertruida (Leipzig), they needed to make a statement. Pavard listened, thought it over, then was won over. A few hours later, he gave his agreement in principle, swayed by the club’s prestige and the energy of the Vélodrome.

A tense situation at Inter

In Lombardy, Pavard’s future was darkening. For several weeks, he had felt his directors’ confidence waning. Inter were banking more on the young Bisseck while moving ahead on bringing in Manuel Akanji on loan. Left on the bench against Udinese, Pavard saw the sign: his cycle in Milan was coming to an end. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, he needed a fresh start. OM offered him that way out, with the Champions League as a bonus to relaunch himself.

Symbolic return to Ligue 1

Nine years after leaving Lille for Stuttgart, Pavard is finally back in Ligue 1. In the meantime, he reached the summit with Bayern Munich, lifted the World Cup in 2018, and discovered Serie A with Inter. This return to France is no trivial matter: it reflects a desire to reconnect with his country, at a club where popular passion and sporting demands meet. With 55 caps and 5 goals for France, Pavard arrives in Marseille with status and a clear ambition: to become a benchmark again, both for club and country.

A financial outlay, but a calculated gamble

By 5 p.m., the agreement was sealed: a loan with a fee and an option to buy set at €15m, with Inter covering part of his wages. For OM, a significant investment, but also a calculated gamble. Pavard arrived motivated, ready to establish himself as a leader in defense and to use this challenge as a springboard toward the World Cup.

Pavard, a gamble to fire up the Vélodrome

In a matter of hours, OM turned a tricky situation around to sign a 2018 world champion. An express, unexpected transfer, but one that reveals a clear intent: build a top-level defense to compete at the top. Pavard lands in Marseille with everything to prove—but also everything he needs to succeed.

And you, fans: do you think this Marseille gamble will relaunch Benjamin Pavard? Your opinions matter—drop them in the comments. Come on OM!