Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Jerome Boateng as the long-time Jose Mourinho target prepares to leave Champions League holders Bayern Munich, as reported by Sky Deutschland.
It’s no secret, at this stage, that head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic don’t exactly see ‘eye to eye’.
That much was clear last week when news broke that Boateng, an eight-time Bundesliga champion and World Cup winner, wouldn’t be offered a new contract at the Allianz Arena.
When asked about the defender’s future in the build up to the dramatic Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, however, Flick could hardly have been more emphatic. He wants Boateng to stick around for the long haul (TZ).
Unfortunately, the manager only wields so much power within the walls of Saberner Strasse and the Bayern bigwigs don’t share Flick’s admiration for a 32-year-old, admittedly injury-prone, central defender.
According to Sky, however, Boateng won’t have to wait long for a new club, despite his age and worrisome fitness record.
A man who turned down the chance to play under Mourinho at Old Trafford has held talks regarding a potential move to Tottenham.
Man United were willing to pay £25 million for the one-time City starlet in 2018 and, three years on, Boateng would be available for free (Guardian).
Whether the Germany international returns to England, however, may rest solely on what the future holds for Mourinho himself in north London.
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