Jerome Boateng shows off his skills during training
Chelsea could become embroiled in a transfer battle with Arsenal to sign Jerome Boateng, according to reports. The Blues are looking to add defensive reinforcements during the summer and have identified the Bayern Munich ace as a potential new arrival.
However, Chelsea have a fight on their hands to snap up the World Cup winner with Arsenal also reigniting their interest in the 31-year-old.
The Gunners failed in their pursuit of Boateng in January but are ready to try their luck again this summer.
Boateng has been a rotation option for Bayern this season but could be allowed to leave at the end of the current campaign, according to FootMercato.
The veteran centre-back is out of contract in 2021 and the latest report indicates Chelsea and Arsenal are two of several sides potentially interested.
Chelsea transfer news: The Blues are set to battle Arsenal for Jerome Boateng (Image: GETTY)
Boateng has only played 15 times in all competitions this term and is considered surplus to requirements at the Allianz Arena with Niklas Sule, Lukas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard all ahead in the pecking order.
Chelsea would be bolstered by the German’s vast experience, with Antonio Rudiger the only established first-choice centre-back at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Frank Lampard has selected Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori alongside the German at various points this season, but none of the trio have claimed the starting berth permanently.
The Blues have also opted to deploy a five-man defence on occasion, and Boateng would provide more options in that formation as he is able to play centrally or as a right-sided centre-back.
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As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta could look to bring Boateng in as cover with Pablo Mari’s loan deal ending and Shkodran Mustafi potentially moving on this summer.
However, William Saliba is finally arriving from Saint-Etienne after spending last season back on loan at his former club.
At 31, Boateng would not be a long-term solution to either club’s defensive issues but would allow Lampard and Arteta breathing space as they look to overhaul other aspects of their squads.
Chelsea have also been linked with Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi while they are reportedly set for another transfer battle with Inter Milan over Marash Kumbulla.
Chelsea transfer news: The German centre-back is considered surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich (Image: GETTY)
The Hellas Verona ace is highly rated in Italy and the Blues are supposedly ready to pay £21million for his services in order to beat former manager Antonio Conte to the transfer.
Meawhile, a £33m deal for Hakim Ziyech was already agreed in January with the Moroccan winger set to join Chelsea at the end of the current campaign.
A new striker is also on the club’s wishlist, with Moussa Dembele identified as a priority target while another attacker is needed as cover for the out-of-contract duo of Willian and Pedro.
Jadon Sancho appears to be Chelsea’s first choice but the Borussia Dortmund winger will cost £120m and is also courted by Liverpool and Manchester United so the Blues could turn to Philippe Coutinho.
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Lampard is also looking to strengthen at left-back with one of Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri expected to depart.
Ben Chilwell could cost as much as £80m so Alex Telles, Marc Cucurella and Ziyech’s Ajax team-mate Nicolas Tagliafico have been touted as possible alternatives.