Arsenal and Man Utd suffer killer blow in pursuit of Trippier alternative - Romano

Cameron Smith

• 26 Jan 2024 00:39 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal and Manchester United look set to miss out on Galatasaray defender Sacha Boey as the Frenchman is currently in talks with Bayern Munich, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, with Arsenal and Man Utd both identifying him as a possible transfer target.

However, Boey now looks likely to join Bayern after the Bundesliga club initiated contact with Galatasaray.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently searching for a new right-back during the January transfer window and appear to have landed on Boey following their failed pursuits of Nordi Mukiele and Kieran Trippier.

The Bavarians are still admirers of both players, but Mukiele looks set to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, while Newcastle recently rejected Bayern’s €15 million offer for Trippier.

As a result, they have turned their attention to Boey and things have moved along fast.

Transfer expert Romano posted on X: “Bayern and Galatasaray in talks for Sacha Boey deal until late night… still no final agreement.

“Talks continue in the morning as Bayern hope to fly Sacha to Munich on Friday.

“Contract ready; Boey told Gala that he wants the move. ONLY Bayern, no other clubs so far.”

Romano’s latest information comes after he reported that Galatasaray had rejected a €15m proposal from Bayern, with the Turkish side wanting at least €30m in order to sell Boey.

However, the Frenchman evidently wants the move and Bayern are desperate to sign him.

How will Sacha Boey fit in at Bayern Munich?

Right-back has been an issue for several years at Bayern and the summer departure of Benjamin Pavard exacerbated the problem.

Pavard was always a solid, reliable player in that position, but he is a centre-back by trade and never came close to replicating the performances of Alphonso Davies on the opposite flank.

His exit to Inter Milan last summer promoted Noussair Mazrouai to first-choice at the Allianz Arena, but Konrad Laimer has also frequently appeared at right-back following his move from RB Leipzig.

But, it’s clear that signing an out-and-out right-back is one area that Bayern need to address if they have ambitions of winning the Champions League.

Boey fits that description perfectly and while he is yet to gain international recognition by France, his performances against Bayern in the UCL group stages were certainly encouraging.

He is also far younger than previous target Trippier and could have a lasting effect in Munich.

Boey is an outstanding two-way full-back and his brilliant defensive attributes are coupled with creativity in the final-third. Bayern need a right-back and Boey is the perfect player to fill that void.