Bayern Munich refused to allow Benjamin Pavard to join Inter during the January transfer window as they were aware that it would set off a chain reaction that would see Milan Skriniar join Paris Saint-Germain.
This according to Slovakian news outlet Sport Aktuality, via FCInter1908, who claim that the Bavarians did not want to see their Champions League round of sixteen opponents PSG strengthened by the arrival of Skriniar ahead of their clashes with the Parisians.
It was uncertain virtually right up until the end of the January transfer window whether or not PSG would sign Skriniar for the rest of the season, or have to wait until the summer to bring him in on a free transfer.
The French champions made an attempt to sign the Slovakian for a fee, whilst the Nerazzurri were ready to listen to offers and cash in.
However, a crucial condition for a deal to happen was that Inter needed to secure a like-for-like replacement for Skriniar first.
Pavard was widely reported as one of the Nerazzurri’s major targets to replace the former Sampdoria defender.
According to Sport Aktuality, Inter made an attempt to sign the Frenchman, but given that Bayern were well aware that the consequence of a deal would be that Skriniar would join their opponents in the next round of the Champions League, they blocked a sale from happening.