Pavard switch to Bayern a done deal?

French World Cup-winner Benjamin Pavard is set to leave Stuttgart for Bayern Munich, reports Stuttgart-based broadcaster Sudwestrundfunk.

According to their information, Pavard inked a deal with the Bavarian giants during the World Cup in Russia and will join them in the winter transfer window in January 2019. However with that information now appearing in public, the switch may even be completed in the coming days.

The defender, who rose to prominence at the World Cup after flying relatively under the radar for the past season, had a buy-out clause of 35 million euros in his contract with Stuttgart, which Bayern have chosen to activate.

That figure would be a coup for Bayern, with Pavard's market value having soared easily above that mark after his outstanding performances for the newly-crowned world champions.

Stuttgart refused to provide a comment to Sudwestrundfunk and even at Bayern Munich, they were coy about the move.

"I cannot say anything in this regard, because they have Brazzo [Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic]. You will have to ask him" said Bayern coach Niko Kovac on Thursday.  Kovac added that he thought Pavard was "a really good player".

Pavard -- probably armed with the knowledge that Stuttgart and Bayern are currently negotiating with each other -- did not make a clear comment either.

"Right now I'm in Stuttgart, where I'm happy, I do not know where I'll play in the future," he said on Thursday.

Pavard began his career at Lille, where he worked his way through the youth ranks before coming up the main side in 2015. He played for the senior side for a year before making a five-million-euro move to Stuttgart, where he has made 55 league appearances in two years.

The 22-year-old has also represented France at the U-19 and U-21 levels before making his senior debut last November.