SportBild are reporting that Jose Mourinho has spoken to Jerome Boateng on the telephone about the potential transfer of the player to Manchester United this summer.
It’s claimed that the German international defender informed Mourinho he doesn’t want to move to Old Trafford, and that’s been influenced by a conversation with Bayern manager Niko Kovac.
Kovac is said to want Boateng in his squad for next season and has told the player so.
This is all a little difficult to take in with full confidence.
It was journalists closest to Bayern Munich who started the claims, initially stating Anthony Martial had been offered for the defender… which the Bundesliga champions were said to have turned down.
Then, when that didn’t make many waves, it was reported just after Sunday’s friendly that Manchester United had initiated talks with Bayern to sign the defender in a straight deal.
Earlier on Tuesday it was claimed the Premier League club had offered €25m for the player, half of Bayern’s asking price.
This latest report would make it look like Boateng has turned down United, and that Mourinho had been very keen to sign him.