Just thought i'd post the latest 'gossip'......
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2011/05/premiership/mancini-standing-firm-over-incredible-25m-raid-for-prized-german-international" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2 ... ernational</a>
Roberto Mancini finds himself in the enviable position of having to defend one of his players from interest home and abroad.
“The fact that Bayern are interested in him, we are pleased because it means that we have acquired a great player. But stay here, because it is a valuable piece to our future. This year, unfortunately had some problems because of injuries, but if it does not have more problems of this kind Jerome as early as next year will become one of the strongest defenders of Europe. “
Bayern Munich have now joined Real Madrid in the chase for one of the jewels in the Eastlands crown. Jose Mourinho is identifying targets to bolster his defence over the Summer and the player he has been linked with today is Manchester City ‘defender’ Jerome Boateng , and the figure quoted is a massive £25million….mental, but read on…
The defender started life as a junior at Hertha Berlin and worked his way up through their academy, he broke into the first team during the 2006-2007 season as a youngster and made just 10 appearances for the club. At the end of that term he made the switch to Hamburg for a fee of about £900,000.
During his two seasons there he became a highly sought after player, and became a vital part of the German teams defence, he helped them reach 2 Europa League Semi-Finals as well as breaking into the German national team with whom he played for in the 2010 World Cup.
Roberto Mancini took the defender to Eastlands after the tournament for a fee thought to be around £10million, and after a delayed start due to injury he has played 21 times for the blues in all competitions, mostly at right back.
The 22 year old who was born to a Ghanaian father and German mother, is half brother of former Portsmouth player Kevin-Prince Boateng. He is happiest playing centre back and at 6’3 he is a commanding presence in the air, he is also capable of playing in either fullback position.
With Portugese coach’s future in Madrid uncertain, Jose Mourinho is planning his Summer business should he stay in the Spanish capital. He is reportedly ready to bid £25million for the German, over double what the Eastlands club paid for him