Benjamin Pavard’s time at Inter Milan is officially over. The French defender is set to return to the club this summer, but only as a pit stop before being moved on permanently. After a disappointing loan spell at Marseille and a fractured relationship with the dressing room, there’s simply no way back.

According to reports from Tuttosport via FCInter1908, Marseille will not trigger their €15 million purchase option. That means Pavard heads back to Inter with two years left on his contract, earning €5 million per season—a hefty wage that makes him a tough sell on the market. Inter have already made it clear: a return to Milan is not in the cards.

The cracks started showing during the Club World Cup. Pavard was sidelined with an ankle injury when photos emerged of him playing padel alongside Milan’s Theo Hernandez. The timing couldn’t have been worse. While Inter were fighting in the tournament, those images landed like a thunderbolt. The dressing room reacted swiftly, and the trust was broken.

The rift with teammates soon turned into a full-blown fallout with the club. Though Pavard started the opening Serie A match against Torino, the writing was already on the wall. He was shipped out on loan to Marseille, where he failed to impress. In his absence, Inter brought in Akanji, who has been a resounding success.

Pavard will return to Appiano Gentile this summer, but don’t expect him to unpack. It’s a temporary stop while a new club is found. His Inter chapter is closed for good.