Report: Manchester United could make a move for Jerome Boateng this winter

Jose Mourinho wanted Jerome Boateng when he was manager of Manchester United, but United’s front office blocked a potential move. Now it appears that the door might be re-opened for the Mancunians to make a move for the Bayern Munich defender this winter. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had a difficult start to the 2019/2020 Premier League season. Defensive woes have beset United, leading some to expect them to look for reinforcements this winter. One idea is to pair Boateng with Harry Maguire at center-back.

Per The Express, Bayern has allegedly offered Boateng to Manchester United provided they pay the asking price. Back when Mourinho wanted him, that price was approximately £50 million, but United was willing to pay only half that at the time. Because Boateng’s contract at Bayern runs out in June 2021, United knows that now they might drive the price down since Bayern would want to sell Boateng before his contract expires. It’s assumed that Boateng would be the ideal pairing next to Maguire over Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, and Axel Tuanzebe.

Dilemma for Bayern?

While offloading Boateng before his contract expires might seem like the ideal move for Bayern on paper, the injuries to both Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernandez severely complicate that scenario. Niko Kovac’s options in defense are too thin for comfort, and Boateng will likely continue to feature while both Sule and Hernandez are out. Lars Lukas Mai was called up to the senior squad for Bayern’s trip to VfL Bochum in the DFB-Pokal, but he was an unused substitute, although he could be called on in the near future. Hence, even if Bayern really plan to sell Boateng, a winter move would prove premature given the significant injury crisis they’re currently facing.

Photo by A. Hassenstein/FC Bayern via Getty Images