Aleksandar Pavlovic Rejects Manchester City Move

Aleksandar Pavlovic turned down the kind of move most young midfielders dream about – and forced Manchester City into one of the most expensive rebuilds the position has ever seen.

According to Bild, City had the 22-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder at the top of their list as early as March. Scouts and decision-makers in Manchester identified him as their preferred solution for the heart of their next-generation midfield and were prepared to go all-in. The Premier League champions were willing to put €100 million on the table.

Pavlovic’s answer was simple: no.

He had no interest in leaving Bayern for England, no matter how big the fee or how persuasive the pitch. That stance never wavered, even as the situation at City shifted dramatically behind the scenes.

By spring, it was already clear internally at City that Pep Guardiola would step down and that Enzo Maresca would take over. The Italian, keen to stamp his own identity on the team, also pushed for Pavlovic. He tried personally to convince the Germany international to join his project.

Again, nothing. Pavlovic categorically ruled out a transfer. With that message coming back from Munich, City didn’t even bother to formalise an offer. The plan for their ideal No. 6 collapsed before it reached the negotiating table.

Midfield Reset

What followed was a full-scale midfield reset.

This summer, City ripped out the core that had defined an era. Rodri left for Barcelona. Bernardo Silva moved to Real Madrid. Tijjani Reijnders departed for Al-Qadsiah. Nico Gonzalez joined Newcastle. Four key midfielders gone, four different destinations, one gaping hole in the middle of the pitch.

For a long stretch of the window, City had only one major replacement lined up: Elliot Anderson, signed from Nottingham for €135 million. One big piece, but nowhere near enough for a squad built to compete on every front.

The urgency grew as the deadline loomed. The pressure finally told. City moved aggressively and late, adding Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for €95 million and Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for €145 million. Three signings, all for central midfield, all at premium prices.

The bill for that department alone: €375 million.

While City scrambled, Pavlovic stayed exactly where he wanted to be.

A product of Bayern’s academy, he broke through last season and became a regular presence in the first team. He made 44 competitive appearances for FCB, scoring four goals and providing two assists. His rise didn’t go unnoticed at international level either. Germany handed him his debut in June 2024, and he has already collected 15 caps.

City rebuilt without him. Bayern kept their homegrown anchor. And a 22-year-old who said no to €100 million interest now looks like one of the defining midfield figures of the next few years – just not in Manchester.