Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Jerome Boateng.
According to Sport Bild, the Gunners are keen on signing Bayern Munich’s treble-winning defender next summer, after his contract expires at the Allianz Arena.
The 32-year-old Germany international has won 22 honours for club and country during his trophy-laden career – including a World Cup and two Champions League titles – and he would undoubtedly bring an invaluable experience to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Question is, would he join up with Arteta after seeing what has become of his friend Mesut Ozil in North London?
Away from the field, Boateng is friendly with the exiled Arsenal midfielder and his mate’s treatment by Arteta might not endear the Bayern powerhouse over a move.
Not that they would’ve been team-mates under Arteta because when Boateng becomes available to sign, so does Ozil whose contract runs out next summer.
But you do wonder if the German defender would be keen to join the club that banished his friend.
Back in 2017, Boateng told The Mirror about Ozil: “He is world class. Every player has a period where it’s not everything goes well. I love to play with him. He’s always trying, he creates chances, he’s the best passing player I ever saw. “
Going by that, he clearly thinks a lot of his former international team-mate – and the feeling is mutual. When Boateng got axed from the Germany set-up in 2019, Ozil posted this on Twitter:
If the rumours are true and Arsenal genuinely want the former Manchester City man at the Emirates Stadium, their hopes might’ve died the day Arteta left Ozil out of his Premier League squad.
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