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Bayern Munich secure £31.6m Arsenal, Manchester City and United target Mario Gotze
PREMIER LEAGUE sides Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United appear to have been trumped in the race to sign German wonderkid Mario Gotze.
Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich are reported to have pulled off the stunning signing of playmaker Gotze from their closest rivals Borussia Dortmund.
The 20-year-old German international was thought to be set to stay at the Westfalenstadion despite being heavily linked with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United in recent times.
However, according to German tabloid Bild, Bayern have activated Gotze's €37m (£31.6m) release clause and already agreed a €7m (£6m) a season salary, worth around £115,000 a week.
The report goes on to indicate that Dortmund's league meeting with Munich on May 4 could be potentially explosive as a result, while the two teams could yet face off in the Champions League final later next month.
It was thought that Arsene Wenger was plotting a £30m swoop for Gotze this summer, although City were said to have conducted negotiations with the youngster's representatives.
United held a long-standing interest in the Dortmund number ten, while Barcelona were also believed to be in the running.