Benjamin Pavard Joins Olympique de Marseille on Loan with €16m Buy Option

September 3, 2025 – Olympique de Marseille (OM) has secured the services of French international defender Benjamin Pavard on a season-long loan from Inter Milan, with a non-mandatory €16m buy option, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The move marks a significant coup for the Ligue 1 club, adding a World Cup winner to their squad ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Pavard, 29, brings a wealth of experience, having previously excelled at Bayern Munich, where he claimed the 2020 Champions League title and scored in the 2020 Club World Cup final. His versatility across the defensive line is expected to bolster OM’s backline, which has been reinforced this summer with the arrival of Morocco’s Nayef Aguerd. The loan deal includes OM covering Pavard’s full salary, with the option to secure him permanently in 2026.

This transfer reflects OM’s strategic approach in the transfer market, leveraging loan agreements to attract top talent. Valued at €25m on Transfermarkt, Pavard’s potential permanent move hinges on his performance. The club aims to build on this acquisition to challenge for domestic honors, echoing their storied 1993 Champions League triumph, while navigating financial constraints with calculated risk.