Marseille sporting director and former Juventus and Roma defender Mehdi Benatia has revealed the role Adrien Rabiot played in the Ligue 1 side’s deal for Inter Milan player Benjamin Pavard.
Pavard joined Roberto De Zerbi’s side on a season-long loan with an option-to-buy at €15 million.
This mirrors the deal that saw Inter bring in Manuel Akanji from Manchester City on deadline day.
Benatia has also revealed that “it was a difficult operation for us” due to the price and wage demands.
The Role Rabiot Played In Marseille Move For Inter Star Pavard
Speaking to Ligue1+, with quotes via FcInterNews, Benatia revealed more background on Pavard’s move to Marseille.
“He had a meal with Rabiot,” Benatia said, “I think around May or June.”
“They called me when they were together,” he added, “I know that Adrien told me that Benjamin wanted to join us.”
Benatia then contacted his “friends at Inter, Piero Ausilio and Beppe Marotta.”
Upon conversation with the Inter chiefs, Benatia discovered “his higher salary and the price was high”.
However, Marseille kept up their pursuit and finally got their man on deadline day.
Rabiot, meanwhile, completed a move to join Inter’s fierce rivals Milan.
The former Juventus midfielder was involved in a dressing room brawl with new Bologna man Jonathan Rowe.
Both players were suspended and quickly found new clubs.