According to Bleacher Report, Bayern Munich are ready to let center back Jerome Boateng leave in January, with Arsenal and Tottenham interested.
The 31-year-old has now been at Bayern for more than 8 years, and has played a crucial role in their run of 7 successive Bundesliga titles.
However, his involvement in the first team has decreased recently, following the arrivals of players like Niklas Sule, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard.
The German international has made only 8 starts in the league this season. According to journalist Dean Jones, Boateng wants to leave the club, with Bayern also happy to let him go.
With his contract expiring in just over one season, many rumors suggested that he might leave for free, but it seems more likely that Arsenal will have to pay around €5 million for him.
Boateng has previously played in the Premier League, where he spent one season with Manchester City. After leaving for Bayern in 2011, he developed into one of the best center backs in the world.
It’s no secret that new Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen on signing a new defender, with Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano being strongly linked with the North London club. But the 21-year-old will probably be very expensive, and is unlikely to leave the Bundesliga leaders in the middle of the season.
While the Frenchman could be a realistic summer target, Boateng could be an effective short-term option. Arsenal have been plagued with injuries in defense, with Calum Chambers damaging his cruciate ligament recently, and could be ruled out for up to 9 months.
Jose Mourinho and Tottenham are another team in search of a new defender. Spurs have been uncharacteristically poor in defense under the Portuguese boss, and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Southampton last time out.
Their plans might change though, with Harry Kane suffering from a torn hamstring that could keep him out of action for a while.
Either way, it looks like Boateng’s tenure at Bayern will be coming to an end this month, with North London his most likely destination.