Arsenal transfer target Jerome Boateng admits he’s open to Premier League.. and they could land him for FREE

ARSENAL target Jerome Boateng is open to a Premier League move and could be available on a free next summer.

The German centre-back admitted he loved his short time in England with Manchester City and would not rule out a return to the UK.

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The Gunners have been linked with the 31-year-old as Mikel Arteta looks to shore up his leaky defence.

And Bayern are said to be keen to cash in on him this summer so they don't lose him for nothing at the end of next season.

Boateng's deal in Bavaria runs out in summer 2021 and he said he would consider a move back to England.

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The 76-cap German international told the : "I would not say no, I loved it when I was there."

Boateng had an injury plagued season with City in the 2010/11 campaign but that hasn't put him off a Prem return.

He added: "For me it was really unlucky because I got injured straight away and then I didn’t really play the position they promised me.

"But I still took a lot from playing in the Premier League. It helped me a lot to play and train with great players.

"I am definitely down for it, but I don’t know the future.

"You never know. But it’s not that I would say: ‘I never want to play there.’ It’s one of my favourite leagues for sure.”

The Bavarians almost flogged the German ace in January, when the Gunners were said to be keen on a deal, but he stayed put to provide back-up in defence.

Arsenal bosses were reportedly reluctant to seal a deal for the German defender in January due to concerns over his fitness and £196,000-a-week wages.

He has still featured heavily for the Bundesliga champs this term, making 31 appearances at centre-back alongside David Alaba.

And the German ace still has a chance to stake his claim at Bayern with the second-leg of the last-16 Champions League tie against Chelsea looming.

Despite having seven centre-backs on their books, Arteta and technical director Edu have identified their backline as their main weakness.

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Sokratis and Calum Chambers are both believed to be available for sale while Pablo Mari and Shokdran Mustafi will both still be sidelined through injury when the new season kicks off.

William Saliba is back from St Etienne and the 19-year-old will be given a chance next term.

But David Luiz, 33, and Rob Holding are the only senior men Arteta has faith in, although Kieran Tierney has also played as part of a three-man defence.