Bayern Munich have signed Sacha Boey ahead of reported interest from Arsenal, but that could still be good news for the Gunners.

Sacha Boey after signing for Bayern Munich (Photo via FCBayern.com)
Sacha Boey after signing for Bayern Munich (Photo via FCBayern.com)

Over the weekend, Bayern Munich announced the signing of Sacha Boey from Galatasaray, putting an end to a long-running transfer saga for the French defender.

Boey was linked with various clubs throughout 2023 and the January transfer window, including Arsenal, and those links were still going strong as recently as last week.

But Boey has now completed his move to Bayern, and he seemed pleased to do so.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Boey said. “It’s an honour for me to get to play for such a big club like Bayern.

“I’m really looking forward to my new team and getting to play with all these great players in the future.

“As a player, I’m a defender who likes to attack, just as happy being involved up front as in defence.”

Arsenal's Portuguese defender #17 Cedric and PSV Eindhoven's Belgian forward #32 Yorbe Vertessen fight for the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Cedric and PSV Eindhoven’s Yorbe Vertessen fight for the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

The transfer could be good news for Arsenal, indirectly, as it likely ramps up Galatasaray’s interest in signing Cedric Soares this month.

A number of sources in the English media reported last week that Galatasaray were interested in Cedric as a potential replacement for Boey.

Now that the Boey deal is done, that interest may start to look more concrete.

Galatasaray aren’t the only club after Cedric. All sources agree that Besiktas are ready to rival Galatasaray in the race, and James Olley of ESPN had previously reported that Villarreal were in the mix for as well, plus another Turkish club in Trabzonspor.

It could be a busy week for the Arsenal right-back, with a permanent exit now looking more probable than not.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - APRIL 23: Sacha Boey of Galatasaray crosses during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fatih Karagumruk SK at NEF Stadyumu on April 23, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY: Sacha Boey of Galatasaray crosses during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fatih Karagumruk SK at NEF Stadyumu on April 23, 2023. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

As for Boey, it was never clear whether Arsenal were genuinely in the race to begin with.

Back in October, Fabrizio Romano strongly refuted the claims, writing that Boey has never been close to a move to Arsenal, and there were no negotiations ongoing.

Romano added that the links had been circling since the player joined Stellar agency in the summer, but there’s nothing substantial in them.

Whilst some European sources seemed convinced Arsenal were involved, reliable journalists in the English media never confirmed as much.