Franck Ribery hailed Jerome Boateng as one of the best central defenders in the world, in spite of the German being linked with a move away from Munich.
Jerome Boateng’s future at Bayern Munich remains up in the air despite coach Niko Kovac’s desire for the defender to stay at the club.
Boateng has long been linked to a move to Paris Saint-Germain, and the transfer windows close in both Germany and France on Friday.
“I spoke to Jerome and told him clearly that, in my opinion, he is one of the world’s best central defenders,” Kovac told Sport Bild.
“Therefore, if he wants to, he’s very welcome to stay. However, if he decides to move, I would understand that as well. But my feeling is that he would happily stay.”
Boateng, 29, reportedly rejected a move to Manchester United earlier this month, calling Jose Mourinho personally to advise him of his decision.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has repeatedly stressed that the club would allow Boateng a move for the right money — believed to be in the region of €50 million.
Kicker reported on Monday that PSG have offered Germany international Julian Draxler to sweeten a potential swap deal for Boateng.
“I’m not ruling out anything,” Rummenigge said.
“We just have to sit tight for the next few days. Uli [Hoeness, the club president] and I have been in this business for a long time and are known for keeping our nerve in these situations. We can even sleep well at night.”
Sport Bild reported that the two clubs’ sporting directors, Hasan Salihamidzic and Antero Henrique, met in Munich last week ahead of a formal transfer offer.
Meanwhile, Bayern are not planning a short-term signing following an injury to winger Kingsley Coman, as Hoeness said the club “cannot buy a player for three months.”
Coman has been ruled out for several months after tearing a ligament in his left ankle in Bayern’s 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim.
“It’s a serious blow for us — I don’t deny that,” Rummenigge said. “Despite this, we will not be doing anything in this position because we have three wingers in Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Serge Gnabry, who should be fit for this weekend. We trust these three players so we don’t have anything planned for the future.”
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