Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has emerged as a prime target for Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The Catalan giants are looking to bolster their defensive options, after failing with attempts to lure Paris Saint-Germain's Thiago Silva to the Nou Camp.
The 25-year-old has reportedly been valued at £30million by Bayern, who will no doubt want to keep the World Cup winner who played a pivotal role in Germany's World Cup win.
However, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola has responded by indicating Boateng will be at the German club next season. "I do not know what the media say, I only know that Jerome Boateng will be a Bayern player next season, 100 per cent," said the manager.
Boateng's size, pace and versatility makes him an extremely attractive prospect for Barcelona, despite Guardiola's willingness to keep the player.
The 25-year-old possesses the athletic ability needed to make up for errors in judgement and is sharp enough to regularly cut out danger before any lasting damage takes effect. Vitally, Boateng likes to play the ball and is someone who can start Barca's passing moves from the back, fitting in well with the "tika-taka" playstyle widely familiarised with Barcelona.
The question will be whether Boateng chooses the La Liga giants over his club Bayern Munich, who are enjoying massive success in the Bundesliga and he has also forged a great partnership with team-mate Dante and also there is no guarantee of a starting place at Barcelona with the likes of Pique, new signing Jeremy Mathieu and Mashcherano all strict competition for the German International. Now it is just a waiting game to see where Boateng will commit his future too.