Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng opens up on summer transfer rumors

Jerome Boateng came very close to leaving Bayern Munich this summer and has now opened up on his near-moves to Manchester United and PSG.

Bayern Munich remained relatively quiet in the summer transfer market. Other than signing Alphonso Davies for the January window, the Bavarians made no additions to their squad. They were, however, much more active in selling their players.

Arturo Vidal was the first to go, trading the cool of Munich for the sunny shores of Barcelona. Sebastian Rudy followed as Bayern’s second midfield departure, joining Domenico Tedesco’s FC Schalke 04. Juan Bernat was the final transfer, moving to the French capital to play under Thomas Tuchel.

Bernat was almost not the only Bayern player to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Center-back Jerome Boateng was heavily linked with a move to PSG all throughout the transfer window. The Parisians ultimately failed to reach Bayern’s asking price for the player, though.

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Since hinting at his desire to play abroad at the beginning of the summer, Boateng has remained silent about the possibility of his departure. However, the German recently opened up with German magazine Bild  (subscription required) to address what really took place this summer.

As was reported this summer, Boateng confirmed that both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain were firmly interested in his signature. Both contacted him to work out details over a potential contract, but a move never materialized for either club.

The German was quick to clarify, though, that he never necessarily wanted to leave Bayern Munich, he was just excited by the possibility of a new transfer. Boateng even suggests in his interview that it was ultimately his decision to stay at Bayern and that it wasn’t really a matter of either club failing to match the Bavarians’ asking price.

Once he had made his decision, he called Jose Mourinho to thank the Manchester United manager for his interest and the work he put into trying to secure a move.

For Boateng, the summer transfer window is now history. He’s no longer thinking of any other club but is instead focused on doing all he can to continue winning trophies under Niko Kovac, who has constantly spoken on Boateng’s importance to the club.

Jerome Boateng is one of the most talented central defenders in the world. If he remains fit, he could not only re-establish himself as a key player for Bayern this season but re-assert his claim as the world’s best center-back as well.