IT'S no secret: Jérôme Boateng and Mats Hummels have never been the best of friends. But the latter’s departure from Bayern Munich last month cant’t have done much to change the gloomy outlook of his former partner in the Bavarian capital.
The German champions’ willingness to sell Hummels back to Borussia Dortmund only underlined their determination to overhaul the squad, a modernisation drive that could force Boateng, out, too. The centre-back, 31 in September, has been publicly told by Bayern president Uli Hoeness that he’d be best served to look for another club ahead of the new season.
To be sure, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had done pretty much the same thing a year ago, ahead of the World Cup in Russia. Back then, Boateng very nearly moved to Paris St Germain and turned down a chance to join up with Manchester United before coach Niko Kovac convinced the board to change their minds.
Barcelona want €100m for Ousmane Dembele, according to Onda Cero. However, Bayern Munich will not pay more than €80m-90m, according to Mundo Deportivo. Maybe they could throw in a free Jerome Boateng? #FCBayern #Barca
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) July 2, 2019
Boateng agreed to stay but saw himself edged out over the course of the season. Following the club’s late change of head in the summer and an argument in autumn, his relationship with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has fallen apart completely. It’s not much better with Kovac. From Boateng’s point of view, "there’s no way back”, a source close to him said last week.
Bayern, for their part, are happy to smooth his passage by quoting a discount figure below €30m. He’s quite a bargain in light of today’s prices, but high wages, a very limited resale value and the cumulative effect of injury problems will scare off many buyers.
On top of that, Boateng has another problem: Matthijs De Ligt. As long as half a dozen of Europe’s top clubs are locked in battle of the 19-year-old’s signature, no one quite knows where the need to bring in a veteran will eventually arise.
Take Juventus, for example. Boateng's wonderful distribution from the back would make him an ideal player for incoming manager Maurizio Sarri but Juve are understandably intent on pulling off the signing of the world’s most-in-demand young defender before they’re prepared to look elsewhere.
Juventus remain in pole position for #DeLigt. In the last few days, Barcelona and PSG have renewed interest, but the player and Raiola do not intend to renege on the agreement with the Bianconeri. Paratici at work with Ajax to close the deal. [@NicoSchira]
— Juvefc.com (@juvefcdotcom) July 5, 2019
The very same is true of Paris Saint-Germain, who not long ago confidently told associates that they had won the race for the Dutchman’s signature. Now they’re no longer so sure, and the Boateng move could be resurrected as a fall-back option. But it might take a few more weeks before the Mino Raiola-induced fog lifts.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of obstacles, too. A reported link with Napoli seems far-fetched, considering that Carlo Ancelotti’s wasn’t Boateng’s biggest fan in Munich and the player’s wage demands. No other Italian club could afford him either – unless he were prepared to drop his salary considerably.
In Spain, Atletico Madrid would have looked at the best fit on paper but Diego Simeone’s side have just signed 30-year-old Brazilian centre-back Felipe (€20m from Porto) to become Diego Godin’s successor, so their appetite to take on another defender will be low. The Bundesliga isn’t a realistic option either, which leaves England. Could his return to Manchester City fill the Vincent Kompany-shaped hole at the back of the champions’ back-line?
FCB defense for the new season:
– Boateng should still be sold despite Hummels' departure.
– Pavard & Lucas are planned primarily as CBs.
– With Kimmich, Süle & Alaba, 5 players for 4 positions with Martinez acting as cover.
– Other new signings are unlikely[@SkySportNewsHD] pic.twitter.com/VLcxSvSfcB
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 26, 2019
It’s an intriguing prospect. Boateng played the best football of his life during Pep Guardiola’s three-year-spell in Munich; few players improved as much as he did thanks to the Catalan’s obsessive coaching. So far, there has been little indication that City would be prepared to change their recent transfer strategy of buying players in their early or mid-twenties and to invest into the finished article instead, however. They haven’t signed an over 30s outfield player since getting Frank Lampard on loan in 2014.
United won’t come back in for him after missing out last summer. Chelsea can’t make signings. Arsenal need the money for younger recruits. Spurs are not in the habit of buying veterans under Mauricio Pochettino, either. Liverpool? They had shown real interest in him a couple of years ago, but are not looking to bring in a CB specialist for next season. Once again, there don’t seem to be many top-tier suitors.
Unless the De Ligt saga plays out in a way that forces either Juventus or Paris Saint-Germain into making an opportunistic signing late on, it’s tough to map out a natural escape route. He will either have to drop down a level or bide his time, conscious of the fact that the lingering uncertainty at Bayern could yet see the tables turned.
Kovac has yet to win the backing of the dressing room and will start the season in a more weakened position than last year; Salihamidzic is increasingly under fire for his failures in the transfer-market. And new €80m signing Lucas Hernandez hasn’t kicked a ball since undergoing a knee operation in March. Boateng might therefore be best advised to do nothing – and wait until the weather in Munich changes once more.
