Barcelona ‘will NOT move for Bayern Munich veteran Jerome Boateng as replacement for Gerard Pique’

Bayern Munich stalwart Jerome Boateng will not be Barcelona-bound this summer, according to reports claiming that the Spanish giants want long-term replacements for Gerard Pique. 

Champions League holders Bayern confirmed earlier this week that former Germany international Boateng would be ending his 10-year spell at the club, leading to the centre-back being linked with clubs across Europe.

Barca boss Ronald Koeman is not interested in the 32-year-old because he is seeking younger options as Pique – one of four club captains alongside Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi and Sergi Roberto – approaches the end of his career, Bild via Mundo Deportivo has said.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman (left) is reportedly not interested in defender Jerome Boateng

At 34, Barca stalwart Gerard Pique is nearing the finale of his career and will require replacing

Koeman is thought to have been impressed by 21-year-old Barcelona B defender Oscar Mingueza, turning to emerging talent with France regular Samuel Umtiti troubled by knee problems.

The LaLiga title chasers are eyeing an overhaul in the summer, with an ageing squad and the return of Joan Laporta as club president potentially heralding a raft of new signings.

As well as the Champions League, hugely experienced Boateng has won the Bundesliga eight times with Bayern.

Boateng has been linked with Mikel Arteta’s (left) Arsenal and Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea squad

As reported in Sportsmail, the expiry of his contract this summer is likely to have alerted Premier League clubs.

Arsenal and Chelsea are in need of high-calibre defensive recruits and could see Boateng as an ideal addition before the start of next season.