Boateng strongly linked

A rumour that has floated around previously gathered pace today with Hamburg's Jerome Boateng strongly linked with a summer move to the club, with Roberto Mancini reportedly giving his approval for the deal.

The German media were reporting that a move of around £10 million had been agreed, with Sky Sports later reporting that Hamburg had resigned themselves to losing the highly rated defender:

"Jorg Neubauer, the agent of Jereme (Boateng), has given us information that Jerome is planning to make a transfer (to another club) this summer," spokesman Jorn Wolf toldSportinformationsdienst.

Although my experience of Boateng is limited, much like TLDORC it is pleasing that whilst the summer will no doubt see any number of big name players linked (particularly during a World Cup summer), there is to be a strong focus on players whose careers remain on the rise rather than those who may have reached a plateau. As well as undoubted talent, hunger and desire are certainly attractive traits to look for in potential signings.

Of course, given the success of both Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong since their move from Hamburg, Boateng would also be coming from a side with a pedigree for producing quality players.