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Arsenal preparing £30m move for wonderkid Mario Gotze
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is willing to smash the club's transfer record to pay the over-£30m release clause of Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze.
According to German newspaper Bild, Arsenal are putting together a bid to bring the German talent to the Emirates this summer.
The report values Gotze's exit clause at €37m (£32m), which would represent a significant change in tact of the Gunners recent transfer policy.
Wenger is a long-term admirer of the 20-year-old attacker, who has become a key player for club and country in recent seasons.
With Arsenal set to hand the Frenchman a £70m summer budget to spend on new players, Gotze could instigate a big-money spree ahead of next season, as long as the North London club secure a Champions League spot this campaign.
While there is expected to be stiff competition for the Dortmund wonderkid, the player himself is not adverse to a move away from the Westfalenstadion.
"Clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are attractive, and playing in another top league would shape me and help me develop as a player," revealed Gotze last month.