Arsenal abandon Boateng plan to pursue other options

Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a new defender to shore up his backline at the Emirates Stadium, and despite reports earlier in the week indicating he was chasing a La Liga star, it appears his gaze is now firmly fixed towards the Bundesliga.

Rumours linking the club with an approach for Bayern Munich veteran Jerome Boateng resurfaced recently, with the German World Cup winner out of contract at the end of next season.

At 31, Boateng would provide the experience Arsenal need among their defence, but Sky Germany (via Goal) believe Arteta is looking at younger targets to be his next leader at the back.