Bayern Boss Confident Of Retaining Arsenal-Linked Boateng

Bayern Munich interim manager Hansi Flick is confident Jerome Boateng will remain at the club beyond the summer transfer window despite strong links with a move to Arsenal.

Bayern Boss Confident Of Retaining Arsenal-Linked Boateng

Boateng has emerged as a defensive transfer target for new Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta especially after Callum Chambers was ruled out for between six to nine months with a serious knee injury.

The 31-year-old, who joined Bayern Munich from Manchester City in the summer of 2011, is no longer an automatic starter at the Bundesliga champions and has made just nine league appearances this season.

He was advised to leave the club for more playing time at the end of last season by former Bayern president Uli Hoeness but stayed to fight for his place.

Fitness issues mean Boateng has not made more than 20 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern since the 2014/2015 season but Hansi Flick, who replaced Niko Kovac in November, does not envision the World Cup winner will be leaving in the winter transfer window.

"Jerome is a player of Bayern Munich and I will not concern myself with any rumours, that's what I did the last years," Flick told reporters.

"Jerome came back to training well-prepared, he prepared himself on holiday. So, I am curious what the next week will bring.

"But I will not concern myself with thoughts if he will leave the club or not. He didn't say anything regarding that and we are constantly in an exchange.

"We have to see how these things develop, but right now I cannot picture it [Boateng leaving]."

Boateng has won seven Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2013 during his time at the Bavarians.