Aleksandar Pavlovic is one of FC Bayern’s greatest success stories in recent years. The 22-year-old has developed from a youth player into an undisputed starter in midfield. His performances have long since attracted the interest of top international clubs. As has now come to light, Manchester City was even prepared to pay a massive transfer fee for the German national team player.
As early as March, the English club was actively pursuing a deal to sign the Bayern homegrown talent. According to information from BILD, a transfer fee of around 100 million euros was on the table.
Pavlovic was supposed to take on a very special role at Manchester City. The Munich native was earmarked as the successor to Rodri, who had left the Sky Blues for FC Barcelona.
But the spectacular transfer never materialized. And that was apparently not due to Bayern Munich’s financial demands, but to the player himself.
Pavlovic explains his decision to turn down Manchester City
In an interview with Sport BILD, Pavlovic has now spoken in detail for the first time about the English top club’s efforts at the time. “First of all, it’s an honor when a top club like City approaches you,” the 22-year-old explained.
Nevertheless, a move to England was out of the question for the midfielder. His attachment to FC Bayern and his hometown of Munich is simply too strong.
“I grew up in Munich, I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve always played for FC Bayern. My family and friends live here—there’s nothing better for me. That’s why the decision wasn’t hard for me,” Pavlovic emphasized.
A remarkable statement given Manchester City’s financial resources and the athletic prospects in the Premier League.
Pavlovic has been playing for FC Bayern since 2011. In the summer of 2023, he made the leap to the professional squad and quickly became an integral part of the team.
Under Vincent Kompany, the German national team player has now firmly established himself in central midfield.
City officials surprised by Pavlovic’s rejection
The fact that the Bayern star so clearly rejected the possibility of a move to Manchester is said to have come as a surprise to the English club’s management.
BILD soccer editor Christian Falk recently reported that City executives apparently hadn’t anticipated such a reaction. “I heard they were stunned. They didn’t expect that,” Falk explained.
According to the report, Manchester City would even have been willing to discuss an even higher transfer fee during negotiations with FC Bayern.
However, it never came to that.
“They would likely have been willing to negotiate an even higher fee with Bayern. But there wasn’t even an official offer because Pavlovic said, ‘No, I’m not coming anyway,’” Falk reported.
This put a stop to the potential mega-transfer before it even got off the ground.
Pavlovic wants to rise to world-class status at Bayern
Despite turning down Manchester City, Pavlovic doesn’t consider his personal development to be anywhere near complete.
The Bayern pro considers it a special honor that he’s already being compared to Rodri because of his playing style.
“Everyone knows what a top defensive midfielder Rodri is. He didn’t win the Ballon d’Or for nothing. Of course, I’m honored to be compared to a player like that,” Pavlovic explained.
At the same time, the 22-year-old set a clear personal goal: “I take that as motivation for my goal: I want to keep improving and establish myself as a world-class player.”
Pavlovic also has big ambitions with FC Bayern. The midfielder wants to win all three major titles this season if possible.
“We want to win everything: the Champions League, the DFB Cup, and the German championship,” the national team player made clear.
His clear stance sends a strong signal to the Munich club. While other top clubs are willing to spend enormous sums on Pavlovic, the 22-year-old continues to see his athletic future with FC Bayern.