By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 10 million fans follow his social media accounts. Many have bought a pair of the upmarket glasses he designed, or the very same baseball cap he wore for his last photo shoot.
FC Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is well on his way to becoming a global brand; he belongs to the same management stable as US rapper Jay-Z, and a potential move to big-spending Paris St Germain may further enhance his global marketing appeal.
According to several media and television reports, the 29-year-old defender's departure from Bayern is imminent, with rumors that Boateng could join up with PSG and its German coach Thomas Tuchel within the next couple of days.
Rumors indicate PSG will have to part with more than 50 million euros to sign the 2014 World Cup winner, whose contract with the Bavarians runs until 2021. Boateng's departure should not come as a huge surprise, with Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaking four weeks ago about the club's willingness to sell the defender if an appropriate offer is received.
Several newspapers have noted Boateng's apparent willingness to open a new chapter, with French sports daily L'Equipe reporting PSG's growing interest in the center back.
In what might be seen as a clearing of the decks, there are rumors that Bayern may also be willing to sell midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Arturo Vidal at the right price, with Barcelona and Inter Milan reportedly sniffing around.
Currently touring the US, Bayern are looking to the future with their recent transfer dealings, having agreed to sign 17-year-old Canadian international striker Alphonso Davies from Vancouver Whitecaps, and FC Dallas' 18-year-old Chris Richards.
As soon as Bayern and PSG agree on the Boateng deal, a 2018 World Champion could be the German's replacement in Bayern's defense. 22-year-old Benjamin Pavard is said to have already signed an agreement with the Munich outfit during the World Cup in Russia. The French defender has a release clause of 35 million euros at his current club VfB Stuttgart which takes effect in 2019, though Bayern are thought to be prepared to pay more to get their man this summer instead.
"I'm no longer a little unknown defender. Many clubs want me," said Pavard when commenting on the latest rumors.
Boateng is said to be considering a second go at playing abroad, after an unsuccessful spell with Manchester City in the 2010/11 season. Moving to Bayern in 2011, Boateng developed into one of the world's best defenders, but the relationship between him and the club is said to have become strained over time.
The Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper used the analogy of an old couple that has grown apart, adding that there are rumors of growing tensions between Boateng and his central defensive partner Mats Hummels.
During a three-month injury layoff in 2016, Boateng was accused by Bayern officials of neglecting his recovery by participating in too many celebrity events. The player said the accusations were very disappointing but admitted to intensifying his rehabilitation.
Boateng's story is one that resonates with many modern urban Germans of a mixed background. Born in Berlin to a Ghanaian father and a German mother, Boateng overcame racism and discrimination as a youth to successfully make it to the top of his chosen profession. He still speaks with a pronounced Berlin accent.
After Boateng reached the peak of his career in 2016 (having won the 2014 World Cup and the 2013 Champions League), he successfully fended off attacks by right-wing politicians who said that while he might be accepted as a footballer, no one would want to have him as their neighbor.
Capped 73 times by Germany, six-time Bundesliga champion Boateng delivered a riposte with a series of commercials with different neighbors. The defender was supported against the attacks by millions of fans and the Bavarian club.
While Boateng was a cornerstone of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he has come in for criticism for his performances in Russia this summer. Some reports suggest that the defender may be willing to increase his involvement with his various off-field interests at the expense of his footballing career.
