Arsenal, Chelsea target reveals how mood over transfer has changed

Jerome Boateng TEAMtalk

Jerome Boateng appears to have performed a U-turn over his future amid links with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

The former World Cup winner with Germany is approaching the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich, and it had been thought that he could move on this summer in search of more regular gametime.

Boateng has spent the best part of a decade at Bayern after a forgettable one-season spell with Manchester City, but there were suggestions he could return to the Premier League this summer.

Arsenal are in need of defensive reinforcements, and Boateng would have made a cost-effective solution – although the Gunners have been linked with a number of other centre-backs as well.

Their London rivals Chelsea were also mentioned as potential suitors, but the 31-year-old now insists that Bayern’s change in manager midway through this season has made him re-assess his options.

“Before Hansi Flick, I was already thinking about my future,” Boateng told Welt am Sonntag (via the Metro).

“At the moment I feel good and can imagine that I will stay. My focus is totally on Bayern and the current season.

“I need the trust of the coach and his coaching team. I have it again.

“Even before the time with Hansi Flick, I trained well and hard, but I was not allowed to play and never had the chance to get into my rhythm. It is difficult for every player.

“Hansi Flick told me right from the start that he was planning with me and appreciated my qualities. Now I’m really enjoying football again.”