Source: Daily_Mail
Bayern Munich close in on Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng
ShareTall order: Jerome Boateng has been unable to hold down a regular place at Manchester City[LNB]Jerome Boateng is one step closer to ending his Manchester City nightmare after it emerged Bayern Munich are in talks with the Eastlands outfit about taking the defender back to Germany. [LNB]The full-back, who is the brother of former Portsmouth player Kevin-Prince, has endured a torrid 12 months in England, ravaged by injury and poor form, and has made a mere 16 appearances for the club since a ?12million move from Hamburg. [LNB]Boateng's most recent start for City came in late February, while he last made an appearance in a matchday squad two months ago.[LNB]German magazine Kicker reported on Monday that a four-year deal had been struck between Bayern and the player, with the matter of a fee proving to be the only stumbling block.[LNB]Bayern, who have already agreed to spend almost ?20m on Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, want to strike a deal for 'significantly less' than City paid, according to Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger.[LNB]Munich have fallen well below expectation this season, crashing out of the Champions League early on and finishing third in the Bundesliga.[LNB]Much of the transfer talk surrounding the club has focussed on a leaky defence with, as well as Neuer and Boateng likely to come on board, Benfica full-back Fabio Coentrao also heavily linked. [LNB] Bright prospect: Boateng is a regular in the young and exciting Germany side who crushed England in South Africa[LNB]The Manchester United target was one of the stand out players in Portugal's disappointing World Cup campaign and had been expected to fetch about ?16m this summer. Bayern, though, will not be his destination. [LNB]'This is a fabrication,' Nerlinger added. 'We do not want Fabio Coentrao. We have once thought about this player, but in recent months, not anymore.'[LNB] Mancini to battle board for cash as City boss plots Champions League successBayern eye return trip to Germany for Boateng alongside Adebayor Manchester City put ?50m price tag on Tevez ahead of expected summer exitAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:Places: Munich, Portugal, Germany, United Kingdom
