Arsenal and Chelsea contact Bayern Munich over Jerome Boateng — report

According to a report by Sport Bild, Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is wanted by two London clubs this summer. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the German World Cup winner to shore up their defense and think a transfer may be possible. Boateng’s contract with Bayern runs out in 2021, with no news of an extension forthcoming. The club would be willing to let him go.

Of course, this is the same news we’ve been hearing for at least two years now. Arsenal have been linked with Boateng since forever, and Chelsea are just the latest club to be linked with every footballer with a pulse (just type “Chelsea transfer rumor” into Google). Boateng could still stay in Munich, and even Sport Bild admits this.

However, it is true that Boateng’s time at Bayern is running out. The Bavarians have struck gold with David Alaba at center-back, and next season Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Süle will both be available as well. With the German on the wrong side of thirty and looking for his last big contract before retirement, a move back to the Premier League could make a lot of sense to him personally.

In addition, the report mentions tensions between Boateng and club hierarchy on account of the fine he received a few days ago for violating the club’s self isolation rules. Boateng drove to Leipzig to see his son, and got into a car accident on the way back. The player was uninjured, but he was fined by the club for breaking the rules. Boateng is said to be upset about that — as he has a right to be, but it’s likely not as serious as Sport Bild makes it out to be. They just love sprinkling a pinch of drama into their reports.

How would Boateng fit into the starting XI’s of the two London clubs? Well, Arsenal under Arteta play a Guardiola-esque passing game which would definitely benefit from Boateng’s ability to pass out from the back. Meanwhile, at Chelsea, Boa could link up with former Germany teammate Antonio Rüdiger and add some experience to a young Blues backline. There’s still plenty of life left in Boateng’s career, even if his time at Bayern comes to a close.