Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign Jerome Boateng, who is also a summer target for local rivals Manchester United.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, the race to sign Jerome Boateng in the summer transfer window is taking an interesting turn. Manchester City are interested in the Bayern Munich defender, who has thus far been heavily linked with City’s bitter local rivals Manchester United.
Boateng has progressed leaps and bounds since leaving Manchester City for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2011. The player is now widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world, having been a pivotal figure for Die Roten over the last seven years, although the last two campaigns have been beset by injuries.
So, after making 250 appearances for Bayern, Boateng looks to be on the brink of departing from the Allianz Arena this summer, with the Bavarians open to selling him. Thus far, Manchester United have been the front-runners in his pursuit, but his former club Manchester City are now in the hunt as well.
At Manchester United, Jose Mourinho grew increasingly frustrated over his side’s defensive output during the second half of the 2017-18 season, with injuries also forcing him to do a lot of chopping and changing. As the season came to its end, reports were rife about Chris Smalling and Phil Jones facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
With Victor Lindelof still not completely settled at the club, the need to sign a new centre-back is understandable for Manchester United. Boateng could be just the kind of short-term investment Mourinho needs to ease the settling in period of Lindelof in addition to possibly mentoring the Swede.
But, Manchester United’s pursuit of Boateng has been complicated by the emergence of Manchester City as a possible suitor. The interest from the Premier League champions comes as a bit of a surprise though, with Aymeric Laporte only arriving at Etihad in the January window.
The Frenchman’s addition has given Pep Guardiola four quality options, including Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and captain Vincent Kompany. But, it goes without saying that Boateng would be a quality addition at Manchester City, who could also have an advantage in the race to sign him considering the strong relationship the player shares with Guardiola.
What remains certain though, is that Boateng’s stint at Bayern Munich is coming to an end, with the club open to selling him this summer. A possible transfer fee worth £50 million has been mooted so far, which is unlikely to pose a problem to either Manchester United or Manchester City.
In the end, it is likely to come to the project that appeals the most to the player, and it remains to be seen which way Boateng heads off to this summer, as a move to the Premier League looks to be on the horizon for him.
