Liverpool have been in touch with the agents of Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, according to Bild reporter Christian Falk.

The journalist says the Reds are one of five clubs who have taken an interest in the World Cup winner, with the player expected to leave the Allianz Arena this summer:

“Benjamin Pavard has informed the club that he wants to move in the summer. His agents are already talking to other clubs. Among them, Liverpool is now a hot candidate.”

“Previously, Chelsea and Barcelona were already known to be interested, as well as Italian clubs AC and Inter Milan.”

Pavard has a year left on his contract so Bayern have been left with very little choice but to let him go, so he isn’t expected to be on the market for a sky-high price.

Whether the 27-year-old is a genuine target for manager Jurgen Klopp, though, it is up for debate.

Pavard would find it difficult to play the inverted fullback role

If Liverpool keep with the formation they deployed in the final couple of months of the season then they will need cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 24-year-old can’t be expected to play every few days, so someone else would have to play in the hybrid fullback/midfield position he has been playing in.

While Pavard is a right-back, he is far more comfortable as a defender, having also been regularly picked as a centre-back. He lacks the passing range that Alexander-Arnold possesses.

There are also doubts about his attitude

Two incidents this season are also a cause for concern. Pavard reportedly stormed out of training in late October, with manager Julian Nagelsmann not happy with his lack of effort.

On international duty for France at the World Cup, the defender was relegated to bench duty after a reported falling out with Didier Deschamps. Klopp will want to be 100% sure that he has the right attitude before bringing him to Anfield.