Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng trained with the club on Thursday as speculation continues to swirl around the future of the Germany international.
The 29-year-old, who was a member of the national team that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena during this transfer window, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain both linked with a potential bid.
But with the Premier League’s transfer deadline at 17:00 BST today, Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho has told reporters that he does not expect any further incomings at Old Trafford before the close of business.
As for PSG, the Ligue 1 champions have been touted as a possible destination, with new head coach Thomas Tuchel keen to bolster his options at centre-back ahead of the new campaign.
Last month, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the 29-year-old’s representatives had been in touch with the French outfit.
Boateng originally joined Bayern from United’s arch-rivals Manchester City in 2011, and has since amassed a significant trophy cabinet, with six Bundesliga titles and three DFB-Pokals to his name alongside the World Cup.
He endured a torrid campaign in Russia earlier this year however, where he was sent off in Germany’s only win of the tournament, 2-1 against Sweden, as the defending champions were knocked out in the group stages.
At club level, Boateng has struggled for more regular game time across the past three seasons, due to both discipline issues and injury, and Bayern are thought to be happy to let him leave for the right deal and price.
If he was to depart the club, he would become their third outgoing defender of the window, following Felix Gotze and Thomas Isherwood, who have signed for Augsburg and Bradford City respectively.
United have been linked to the signature of a number of big-name defenders, including Premier League stars Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld – but may be stymied in their desire to bring Boateng or any other name to the club given the new English transfer deadline.
Bayern however would be able to sell the centre-back to a continental club, such as PSG, until the end of the month.
Manchester United were keen to bring Jerome Boateng to Old Trafford – but only on loan deal, Sky Sports News understands.
Jose Mourinho has the German international as his No 1 choice recruit – but privately behind the scenes at United, there are fears over a permanent contract for a player with a chequered history of injuries.
Boateng, 29, suffered muscle and tendon injuries over the past three Bundesliga campaigns, missing 27 games in total since December 2016.
Last season he suffered a hamstring injury in April, almost causing him to miss Germany’s dismal World Cup campaign in Russia.
Boateng also missed a number of games at the beginning of the 2017-18 season due to another hamstring problem.
He returned to training last month – starting on the bench in Wednesday’s friendly against FC Rottach-Egern – and remains contracted to Bayern until 2021.
But with the transfer window closing at 5pm on Thursday, Mourinho is running out of time to find a new central defender.
Jérôme Boateng phoned José Mourinho to tell him that he will not join Manchester United this summer. United made contact with Bayern Munich on Sunday to inquire what it would cost to sign the Germany international but the deal is now dead before the Premier League club even made an official bid.
United, meanwhile, have turned down a Barcelona bid for £45m plus Yerry Mina and André Gomes for Paul Pogba. The club is not considering any offers for the Frenchman.