ROTTACH-ERGERN – Arjen Robben hopes defender Jerome
Boateng remains with Bayern Munich despite the German World Cup
winner from 2014 being linked with a transfer from the club.
"Jerome Boateng is one of the best defenders in the world for
me," Robben said at the conclusion of Bayern's training camp at
Rottach-Egern on Thursday.
"We have already celebrated a lot of success with him, Jerome is
simply very important for this team."
Boateng, 29, reportedly turned down a potential move to Manchester
United in the Premier League but remains a strong contender for
French champions Paris Saint-Germain, according to Le Parisien paper.
Bayern recently sold Arturo Vidal to Barcelona and chairman
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge appeared open to further departures - a
mistake, according to Robben.
"It is quite important that expect Arturo we have not given up anyone
else," Robben said. "We have a lot of quality in the team. We have to
stay together and then we can be successful."
Record champions Bayern are chasing yet another Bundesliga title and
Robben did not predict who would offer the biggest challenge to their
dominance.
"We will see," the 34-year-old said. "But we have to make sure that
we are not our own opponent. We have to look at ourselves."
Bayern face Eintracht Frankfurt away in the Super Cup on Sunday
before the German Cup begins next weekend and they start the
Bundesliga at home to Hoffenheim on August 24.