Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing German international defender Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich in the summer.

According to a report from FootMercato, as carried by the Daily Mail, Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea could be set to battle it out in the transfer market for the signing of 32-year-old German defender Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich.

Boateng has been at Bayern Munich for nine years now, having signed from Manchester City back in the summer of 2011. The German international has been integral to the Bavarians’ domination in Bundesliga over the years, although he has shown signs of decline of late. The 32-year-old has featured only 16 times in Bundesliga this season.

Boateng will be entering the final year of his current contract with Bayern in the summer and a new deal is yet to be agreed. This has cast doubts surrounding his future at the Allianz Arena, especially after a recent incident which seems to have soured the relationship between the club and the player.

Bayern recently fined Boateng for breaking coronavirus guideline regulations for essential travel. While the 32-year-old insisted that he was travelling to see his sick son, the club still went ahead and enforced the fine. This could potentially act as a trigger for the former Manchester City man to secure an exit this summer.

And the report from FootMercato (h/t Daily Mail), states that Arsenal and Chelsea are monitoring the situation closely with an eye on making a move for Boateng in the next transfer window.

Boateng to return to Premier League? (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Boateng to return to Premier League? (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Arsenal are in need of defensive reinforcements given their issues at the back over the course of the last season. While things did improve slightly under new boss Mikel Arteta, concerns still remain. David Luiz is well into his thirties, while Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi haven’t been consistent enough.

With Rob Holding and Calum Chambers struggling with injury issues, it would make sense for Arsenal to add another centre-back to their ranks, despite William Saliba set to return to the squad after his loan spell at Saint Etienne.

Chelsea too are interested in securing the services of the 76-time capped German international. Much like Arsenal, the Blues too have had problems defensively in what is Frank Lampard’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Rudiger has had to battle with injuries while Kurt Zouma has once again found wanting for consistency. Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen have impressed in bursts, but a more experienced campaigner would certainly help Lampard & co. next season.

Boateng, given his experience, could be a decent addition for both Arsenal and Chelsea. However, at 32, the German will hardly be a long-term solution for the London clubs. Moreover, he hasn’t been at his best for some time now either.

So, both Arsenal and Chelsea would be better served looking for alternatives, with the Gunners’ being linked with Issa Diop while the Blues have been credited with an interest in Gabriel Magalhaes.

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