Jerome Boateng is on the brink of making a sensational return to Bayern Munich, just one week after a court overturned a verdict for assault and insult charges against him.
The experienced defender had only departed the Allianz Arena in 2021 after an incredibly successful decade with the Bavarian club, opting to join Lyon in France on a free transfer.
German reports suggest that an emotional reunion with Bayern is in the works for Boateng. Sky Deutschland has reported that Bayern's leadership is keen to secure the services of the 35-year-old, who is currently without a club. Advanced negotiations have apparently occurred between the two parties, and Boateng is reportedly fit and prepared to return.
However, he has not yet undergone a medical examination before finalising the deal. It is expected that Boateng will be brought in as injury cover following fresh discussions held on Sunday.
The absence of former Ajax and Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt and young talent Tarek Buchmann due to injuries has prompted Bayern's interest in Boateng. Their other central defensive options include Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae.
During his previous tenure with the German giants, Boateng made an impressive 364 appearances. He clinched an impressive ten Bundesliga titles, five German Cups, and two Champions League titles during that period.
Boateng also played a pivotal role in helping Germany secure the 2014 World Cup. Despite his previous success with Bayern, his recent seasons have been marred by controversy.
In September 2021, a Munich court found Boateng guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, a charge that he vehemently denied. Initially, he was sentenced to a 60-day term of daily fines amounting to approximately €1.8 million (£1.5 million).
This decision was appealed, leading to a modification of the penalty to 120 days of fines totalling €1.2 million (£1.04 million). Under German law, an individual is considered to have a criminal record if fines exceed 90 days.
Subsequently, this ruling was also appealed, and an appeals court in Bavaria overturned the verdict, sending the case back to a lower court. The Bavarian Supreme State Court permitted appeals from both Boateng, who alleged bias on the part of the trial judge, and prosecutors.
Bayern Munich currently occupies the third spot in the Bundesliga standings after an undefeated start to the current season. They have secured victory in four out of their six opening fixtures, including a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit against RB Leipzig on Saturday, with Harry Kane and Leroy Sane scoring crucial goals.
Their next match is scheduled for Tuesday evening against Copenhagen in the Champions League. However, it seems unlikely that Boateng will be available for that game, with attention turning to the weekend clash against Freiburg.
