Manchester City's Jérôme Boateng determined to join Bayern Munich

Posted Monday, June 13, 2011 by theguardian.com

• Boateng makes clear his plan to return to Germany
• 'Bayern are bigger than City. It would be an honour'

Jerome Boateng, left, pictured in action for Manchester City against Arsenal last season.

The Manchester City defender Jérôme Boateng has spoken of his desire to join Bayern Munich this summer. Boateng joined City from Hamburg on a five-year deal 12 months ago but is already keen on a return to the Bundesliga.

The Germany international, speaking at a promotional event in Hamburg, said: "I would like to go to Munich. On my side everything is clear."

Boateng believes he can further his international career at Bayern after becoming frustrated at being played at right-back at Eastlands.

He said: "I have already told Roberto Mancini that I want to play in central defence and not at full-back. Bayern have indicated I will play in the centre. To play there regularly is important for me because I will have a better chance of playing in the national team."

Boateng accepts his fate is in City's hands, though. "It is all about whether I am released. I hope it works. Bayern are bigger than Manchester City, they are one of the top six teams in Europe. To play for them would be an honour."

City's sporting director, Mike Rigg, recently described Boateng as "unsellable", but Bayern's chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said he felt a deal was possible.

"I believe that there is a chance that we will come to an agreement. We will have to play a waiting game and this is not something which will be resolved in the next two or three days."