Arsenal have second thoughts over Jerome Boateng transfer due to concerns about his fitness and lack of game time
ARSENAL are reportedly reluctant to seal a deal for Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng due to concerns over his fitness.
The centre-back is thought to be available for a January move from Germany and the Gunners are on the look out for a player in that position.
And yet the deal is not quite so simple.
Previous reports outlined how Boateng could even move to Arsenal for free, as long as they can stomach his £196,000-a-week wages.
But even that deal might not be enticing enough as now outline the North London club's concerns about the 31-year-old.
Transfer bosses fear Boateng would arrive at the Emirates short of match fitness and far from sharp, having only featured 15 times this season.
Arsenal need a player who can come in and perform straight away with the side stuck in 10th position in the Premier League - nine points off the top-four.
Calum Chambers is out for up to nine months after injuring his knee during the Christmas period while Rob Holding has struggled to regain fitness after a serious injury of his own.
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Rumours that the German is desperate to leave Munich continue to mount after he was publicly told to leave and find a "new challenge" by club president Uli Hoeness in May.
Interim coach Hansi Flick reiterated to Boateng recently that he cannot expect regular football at Allianz Arena in the coming months.
But the player's contract runs to 2021 and his mammoth wages will add to the difficulty in finding him a new club.