German newspaper reports that Borussia Dortmund flyer Marco Reus subject of significant interest from Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus, according to German newspaper Die Welt.
The 25 year-old is one of the most talented players in world football, but has been sidelined since June with a partial tear of his left ankle ligament, and subsequently missed Germany’s 2014 FIFA World Cup victory.
Due to return to action in early September, Reus has recently been subject of a war of words between his current club and Bayern Munich.
The Bavarian giants’ CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed that the skilful winger has a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave if an offer of €25m is made – comments for which he was sternly criticised by Dortmund counterpart Hans-Joachim Watzke.
“Borussia Dortmund has noted with some irritation that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is currently discussing internal BVB matters in a three-day rhythm in the media,” read a statement from Watzke on the official Borussia Dortmund website.
“We are sure that it is quite clear to anybody interested in football what intentions lie behind such remarks. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is also fully aware that his behaviour is only going to further damage an already tense relationship between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.”
Given that Dortmund have lost Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski to Bayern in the last two summer transfer windows, they understandably do not want to lose a third player to their arch rivals.
If they do have to sell their prize asset, Borussia Dortmund would undoubtedly rather see him move abroad, and Reus would have no shortage of suitors.
According to Die Welt, Arsenal would be at the front of the queue, with Arsene Wenger having long been an admirer of the goalscoring playmaker.
The newspaper adds that with Reus previously thought to be available for €35m, the Gunners could instead look to put that money into a significantly higher wage package than the player receives at Signal Iduna Park.
Reus is Dortmund born and bred, and would not be so easily tempted as Gotze and Lewandowski before him, but an increased salary and the sales of his best club colleagues could help sway his decision.
Arsenal already have three Germany internationals in Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil, and the trio have regularly spoken publicly about their happiness at Emirates Stadium.
Perhaps Reus will be tempted to join his compatriots in north London.