Arsenal have turned their focus away from Jerome Boateng and towards three other Bundesliga centre-backs, according to reports in Germany.


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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.

Sky do not believe Boateng is on Arsenal’s wishlist, with Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Evan N’Dicka all preferred to him.

Upamecano would be the most expensive of the trio, with his value soaring above the €60m mark – and with his current sporting director at RB Leipzig issuing him a warning about his next move, the 21-year-old has a lot to consider.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Tah is both cheaper and more experienced, with the 24-year-old having a clause in his contract that can allow him to leave for €40m before the middle of June.

The third alternative to Boateng, N’Dicka, is just 20 years old, but the Frenchman is showing promise at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Arsenal would have to beat Liverpool to his signature, though, as the Premier League leaders search for a replacement for Dejan Lovren.