Chelsea are prepared to go head-to-head with Arsenal and Manchester United for the signing of Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze.
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The Germany playmaker’s future at the Allianz Arena came under intense speculation on Monday after his agent sensationally claimed that the 23-year-old wasn’t feeling the ‘support’ of the Bavarians.
“Of course I would have liked if Mario had felt more support in one or two situations,” as quoted by the Daily Star.
“I am fully convinced that when Mario feels this support, it is easier for him to show his incredible potential.”
Following the revelations of Gotze’s representative, the Gunners and the Red Devils emerged as possible contenders for his signature [via the Telegraph], and now, according to the Daily Express, the Premier League champions have also joined the transfer battle.
The Metro state that the former Borussia Dortmund star is valued at £49.6m, which for a player – according to his agent – who is struggling to gain the support of his current club, is certainly a steep figure to part with.
If Arsene Wenger is willing to meet this price-tag, the Germany international would become the most expensive signing in the north London giants’ history – surpassing the £42.4m paid to secure Mesut Ozi from Real Madrid two summers ago [via BBC Sport].
Despite making 28 starts in the Bundesliga and nine in the Champions League last season, scoring 13 goals in both competitions, Gotze is yet to establish himself as a key player under Pep Guardiola. He played six different positions across midfield and attack in the 2014-15 campaign, suggesting that perhaps the former Barcelona manager is unsure on where his No.19 fits into his current XI.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked to Atletico Madrid’s Arda Turan over the past week [via the Daily Star]; however, after the Turkey playmaker sealed a £24m transfer to Barcelona on Monday night [via BBC Sport], the English trio may remain in the market for an attacking midfielder.
Gotze is the third Bavarians player to be linked with an exit this summer, as Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger are said to be on the radar of Manchester United [via talkSPORT].