Manchester United reportedly set to see off Real Madrid to sign Germany defender

Transfer news is on the rise again...

With the initial hype surrounding the opening days of the World Cup subsiding, reports in Spain are looking at who might or might not be arriving at Real Madrid this summer. Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng is one of the names to have been linked with a switch to the Bernabeu and is believed to have expressed a wish to move on from the Bundesliga champions this summer. The 29-year-old played for Manchester City earlier in his career and is believed to be open to the idea of a transfer to Spain, but a Premier League return is also said to be an option. Manchester United are looking to strengthen their back line this summer, and are also said to be interested in the German international after being £20m short of Tottenham's valuation of defender Toby Alderweireld. Raphael Varane of Real Madrid and Sevilla's Clement Lenglet are also thought to be options for United. Although Boateng appeared to be closer to a move to Madrid last week, reports in Spain (via the Mirror) now suggest Old Trafford is a more likely destination. Jose Mourinho, it's claimed, currently has the upper hand in negotiations for the defender. Boateng started for Germany in their World Cup opener in Moscow on Sunday afternoon, but was unable to prevent the reigning champions slipping to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico. Joachim Low's side started the game slowly and were eventually punished by Hirving Lozano's goal ten minutes from half-time - a goal which triggered an earthquake back in his homeland (no, really). Germany will attempt to get their campaign to retain their title back on track next Saturday when they face Sweden in Sochi. Their final group game sees them take on South Korea in Kazan the following Wednesday.