Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing centre-back Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich amid concerns they may be priced out of a move for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano.

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta admitted on Thursday that the news Calum Chambers has been ruled out for up to nine months following knee surgery would “change our plans at the back” with the club now scouring the market for centre-back options this month.

They are keen to revisit two deals discussed in the summer, most notably Upamecano, the 21-year-old who is out of contract at the Bundesliga club in 2021.

Arsenal were quoted a fee in the region of £70m during the summer and initial soundings from Leipzig indicate they are unwilling to drop that asking price during this month’s transfer window.

That stance could change as time progresses but if not, the Gunners will be forced to look at alternative options with Juventus’ Daniele Rugani and Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake another player under consideration.

However, Juve wanted £50m for Rugani last year while Ake is the subject of a scramble involving several Premier League clubs – Chelsea are currently leading the chase – and so Boateng is an intriguing option given his cut-price availability.

Arsenal have only modest funds to spend after last month announcing a pre-tax of £23.5m loss for the year ending 31 May, a period which does not include a summer spending spree which included breaking their club record to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille for £72m and £25m acquisition William Saliba.

Saliba will join from Saint-Etienne this summer and Boateng has some appeal as a short-term option given he is available for around £12.8m (€15m) with Bayern open to a possible deal.