Man United, Arsenal, PSG battle it out for Boateng

Three top European football clubs are said to be in the running to sign Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng. Arsenal and Manchester United of the English Premier League are said to be interested in the 29-year-old, as are Paris Saint Germain, with the French champions appearing to be leading the race to sign the 2014 World Cup winner.

Time is running out for Arsenal and Manchester United to complete a deal as the English transfer window closes this Thursday. Meanwhile, PSG and their German coach Thomas Tuchel are reportedly Boateng's first choice, reports Xinhua news agency.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Boateng would be allowed to leave if a club was prepared to match their figure on the player who has a contract that runs until 2021. The defender is reportedly valued at more than 50 million euros ($57.9 million).

The Bavarian club has regularly announced that it intends to rejuvenate its aging squad. After signing 23-year-old German international Leon Goretzka from Schalke 04, Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal was allowed to depart, with the 30-year-old having joined FC Barcelona in Spain.

According to several media reports, a decision regarding Boateng's future is expected shortly, and may happen by the end of this week.

While Arsenal have not commented on the matter, both Tuchel and United coach Jose Mourinho say the German international would add quality to their defenses.

"My boss knows about my wishes and demands," Mourinho commented. United are said to have contacted Bayern while playing a friendly in Munich last Saturday.

Other reports speak about a meeting between Tuchel and Boateng a few weeks ago.

While some have suggested that joining the star-studded PSG side would enhance the image-conscious Boateng's marketing appeal, others say that playing in the English Premier League would result in more global exposure for the German international.

Several newspapers have spoken about signs coming from the player's entourage that Boateng is very interested in opening a new chapter in his career.

--IANS

pur/sed