Building on reports released yesterday claiming Bayern Munich are looking to move on from Jerome Boateng, the transfer rumor has already started to spin.
The Daily Mail reports that two London clubs – Arsenal and Chelsea – are leading the race to sign the German defender as he looks to continue his career in top-level football. With Boateng’s contract expiring this summer, he would be free to go to whomever he wanted.
Although his starting time was not in doubt, Sport Bild’s initial report yesterday claimed Boateng was unhappy with the club and felt he was unappreciated and under-supported. The Mail adds to this by saying that Boateng only feels appreciation for manager Hansi Flick.
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Photo by Alex Livesey / Getty Images
If Boateng leaves for London, it will not be his first time in England. He left Hamburger SV for £ 10.6million to join Manchester City for the 2010/2011 season. He made 24 first-team appearances for the Cityzens and won the FA Cup that year. In the summer of 2011, he applied for a transfer, citing his desire to win more callbacks for the German national team. Boateng moved to Bayern for £ 12million and the rest is history.
Either of the London clubs would be an interesting destination for Boateng, given Bayern’s history with both sides. He started in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final in Munich, which saw Chelsea beat Bayern to their first European title – but also started in both rounds of the Round of 16 against Les Bleus en route to the UCL title 2020. As for Arsenal, the defender did not make an appearance in Bayern’s demolition of the Gunners by an overall score of 10-2 in the round of 16 of the 2016/2017 season. But, a few seasons ago, in the same round in the 2013/2014 season, Boateng assisted the team in their first leg of a 3-1 total elimination from Arsenal.
As to who needs Boateng the most, it looks like Arsenal is leading the misery department. With an inconsistent bottom line filled with mostly young defenders, bringing in a veteran like Boateng would make the most sense. As for Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel has expressed his desire to improve the defense. But, with the Blues linked to names like David Alaba, one would wonder whether or not Boateng is at the top of their list.
Time will only tell where the German defender goes, but until then he remains one of the best center-back options for the defending Bundesliga champions.