Boateng wants clear-the-air talks with Bayern bosses
BERLIN: Germany defender Jerome Boateng wants clear-the-air talks with Bayern Munich bosses Karl-heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness after his off-season transfer to Paris Saint-germain fell through.
“I think we should talk again in the near future – that’s what we have set out to do – it’s important for me to make it clear once again that I’m fully focused on FC Bayern,” Boateng told the Munich-based newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
“And on the other hand, I don’t think it’s nice when things are said about me everywhere and then you do not get any public support from the club.”
In the off season, both Rummenigge and Hoeness said Boateng could leave for the right price.
The burly centre-back was annoyed when Bayern chairman Rummenigge first fuelled rumours of a possible switch to PSG on the eve of the World Cup, where Germany crashed out after the group stages.
The defender admits a switch to Paris was “a concrete option” and even talked with PSG’S head coach Thomas Tuchel about a move, but the deal reportedly collapsed because of Bayern’s asking price for Boateng, who has a market value of around €45 million (~379 crore).
Instead, PSG last month signed Germany under-21 centre-back Thilo Kehrer from Schalke for a reported €37m.
CHANGE IN DATES FOR COPA AMERICA SOUGHT
ASUNCION: South American confederation Conmebol on Tuesday announced that it wants to change its calendar so that the Copa America is held in the same year as the European Championship from 2020.
The Copa America is usually played the year after the World Cup, with the next edition to be hosted by Brazil in 2019.
The Copa America was held in 2016 as a one-off to celebrate the event’s centenary, when it was proposed to UEFA the possibility of holding a four-team event between the Euro and Copa finalists. That was not possible because of scheduling issues.
AMPADU EXTENDS CHELSEA DEAL
LONDON: Wales international Ethan Ampadu has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday. Ampadu, who signed from Exeter in 2017 with the fee agreed by tribunal, has impressed since moving to Stamford Bridge.
“I’m really proud and happy, I’m looking forward to the next five years,” said the 18-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield.
Ampadu has made seven Chelsea appearances so far and could be involved in Thursday’s Europa League clash at PAOK in Greece.