Bayern Munich interim head coach Hans-Dieter Flick has said that he “can’t imagine” losing Jerome Boateng during the January transfer window.

There had been claims that Bayern could let the 31-year-old leave the Allianz Arena on a free transfer this month as long as the Gunners pick up the tab for his wages. However, speaking at the German club’s warm-weather training camp in Qatar, Flick says he is keen for the player to stay at the club:

“Jerome is a Bayern player. He has trained well during the winter break. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks will be like. I’m not worrying if he’ll leave the club or not. I can’t imagine that at the moment.”

Arsenal have reportedly turned their attentions to Boateng after being priced out of a move for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, but despite the former German international entering the last eighteen months of his contract at Bayern, he continues to play pretty regularly for the Bundesliga side.

Bayern also have three players in Niklas Sule, Lucas Hernandez and Javi Martinez all out injured in defence, meaning Boateng is likely to be an important player in upcoming matches.