A fashionista who is never far from controversy and doesn't shy away from a training ground scrap… Jerome Boateng is set for a Premier League return when his Bayern deal ends …

The time is ticking on the Bayern Munich contract of veteran defender Jerome Boateng, and all signs point to an emotion-tinged departure at the end of the season.

In the modern era Boateng has been synonymous with Bayern and the rise of the German giants, though all good things must come to an end.

That end, it appears, is coming sooner than perhaps Boateng himself may have wished for. The defender recently expressed his willingness to remain in Bavaria and continue to perform under the ‘exciting’ Hansi Flick.

Jerome Boateng looks set to bring his Bayern Munich era to an end following this season

Reports in Germany however are now strongly pushing the idea that Bayern feel the time is ripe for change, with new defensive personnel on the horizon.

This, therefore, means Boateng will be walking out of the Allianz for the final time at the end of the season, leaving Bayern with his head held high as a free agent.

At 32 the player’s stock remains high, with a spate of elite Premier League clubs clambering for his signature.

So, with links to Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea growing stronger by the day, are we about to witness a Premier League redemption shot for the man who failed quite emphatically at Manchester City in the not too distant past?

The arrival of Boateng would signal not just the recruiting of World Cup winning talent, but also a character who is larger than life and doesn’t care who knows it. Sportsmail investigates further… 

Why are Bayern letting him go?

After rescuing him from his Manchester City nightmare in 2011, Bayern took Boateng under their wing and cultivated him into one of the most versatile and imposing defenders on the continent.

Since, the Berlin-born defender has become an integral part of a successful era for both club and country, collecting a host of silverware along the way.

Boateng has played under several managers in Bavaria, in Bayern teams which have dominated in Europe and also, at times, in sides which have looked disjointed and searching for identity.

Boateng crafted himself as a powerful Bundesliga enforcer and a cornerstone for Bayern

Now, with Bayern freshly crowned champions of Europe and at the peak of their powers once more, it appears a parting of ways has been decided.

It makes sense, on the face of it. The Bundesliga giants are desperately trying to avoid a situation similar to that which Barcelona find themselves in, with an ageing team of big names being overly relied upon.

Conclusions seem to have been made that a summer exit for Boateng represents a good business decision.

The defender is one of the top earning stars at the Allianz, reported to be pocketing in the region of an eye-watering £180,000 a week.

Boateng has been a model servant for Bayern, though such lavish earnings sure take their toll on the club wage bill. While it is likely that the player would accept a financial reduction to secure a new deal, the fact that he is in the twilight of his career signals to Bayern that it is time for something new.

RB Leipzig sensation Dayot Upamecano is said to be firmly in Bayern’s sights, with the club preparing to rival the likes of Manchester United in triggering the youngster’s release clause in the summer.

For Boateng, such a move would spell the end. 

Bayern have their eye on Dayot Upamecano as Boateng’s long-term successor at the Allianz

Why is he in demand?

For someone who is 32 and been defending at the pinnacle of European football for a decade, Boateng still has plenty left in the tank.

Earlier in the year Boateng found himself in and out of the Bayern team, as the squad was chopped and changed following the departure of Niko Kovac.

The end looked to be in sight for Boateng, who had also found himself retired from the Germany international team by manager Joachim Low.

Keen to promote youth, Low put all sentimentality to one side by relieving Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels of their national service.

Boateng celebrates with his daughter and the World Cup trophy after the famous 2014 victory

Yet for Boateng this seems to have stoked the inner flames of resilience and determination.

With more time free from travelling and training with Die Mannschaft, Boateng has been able to focus purely on domestic matters and getting himself in the right head space to give his all for Bayern.

Using all his experience and putting in the hard work behind the scenes, Boateng has returned to the Bayern fold with reignited passion this season.

So far Boateng has played in nine of the side’s matches, including six of seven in the Bundesliga.

His tall frame was a consistent deterrent in the recent Klassiker derby with bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund, as Bayern took a crucial 3-2 victory at the Signal Iduna Park and climbed back to the top of the table as a result. 

Boateng has much still to offer, it is just that Bayern now realise they can proceed without him. Squeezing the best from their defensive general in one final season before shifting him off the wage bill makes plenty of sense.

Such an experienced head would provide a tantalising option for Premier League sides, who will feel he can add a solid presence to the ranks. The biggest question mark, however, will hang over whether he still has the legs.

So, what went wrong for him at City?

Boateng joined the City revolution at the most exciting…