Arsenal are one of three teams still in contention for Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, according to Footmercato.net. The French website claims that the German international is being monitored by the Gunners, Chelsea and Hertha Berlin.

However, Hertha are now said to be the frontrunners for the 31-year-old with the Bundesliga outfit having made “initial contacts” with the player’s representatives.

Boateng started his career in Berlin, and with the player having had reduced game time at Bayern this season, he may well be open to a move away from the Allianz Arena.

Arsenal’s interest in the German appears to have cooled in recent months, and David Ornstein has recently suggested that manager Mikel Arteta will prioritise the permanent signing of Pablo Mari ahead of recruiting another centre-half.

Whether that means they will end their pursuit of Boateng, we shall have to wait and see. Their interest may also be dependent on whether Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis leave the Emirates this summer. Both players only have a year to go on their current contracts.