Arsenal lead race to sign 'displeased' Mario Gotze

AS THE season builds to what promises to be an earth-shattering climax on Sunday, the transfer talk is also reaching fever pitch with the Express dropping a bank holiday bombshell.

Apparently Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze is considering his options after admitting his “displeasure” at the way things have worked at the Allianz Arena this season. The Germany international joined the Bundesliga champions in a £32.5m move from Borussia Dortmund last summer. But regular action hasn’t been a given for Gotze and the 21-year-old playmaker has said he is “not happy” with his lack of first-team action.

That, according to the Express, has put Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United on red alert with the Gunners thought to be favourites to land Gotze thanks to the sizeable German contingent at the Emirates, which includes Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil.

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Meanwhile, to no one’s great surprise, the Daily Mail reports that Kim Kallstrom’s catastrophic loan spell at Arsenal will not develop into anything longer. The 31-year-old Swede was signed from Spartak Moscow in January, as cover for the injured Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, but Kallstron crocked his back in his first training session and was sidelined for several weeks.

He has since made four appearances for Arsenal but has done nothing to convince manager Arsene Wenger that he has a future in north London. “He belongs to Moscow and will go back to Moscow,” replied Wenger when asked about Kallstrom’s future.

Still with Swedes and Sportbladet claims that Manchester United are eyeing up Helsingborg striker David Accam. It appears the Red Devils sent scouts to Sweden to watch the Ghanaian youngster strut his stuff against AIK at the weekend.

The 23-year-old Accam, who joined Helsingborg in 2012, is aware of United’s interest but doesn’t seem particularly overwhelmed. “Many teams are looking at me right now,” he said. “But this is normal because I'm playing well.” Arsenal and Everton are also said to have “made checks” on Accam this season but it’s not known whether offers will be forthcoming during the summer transfer window.

Elsewhere and the Daily Star reports that Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is adamant that no agreement is in place concerning Diego Costa and his rumoured move to Chelsea in the summer. Jose Mourinho has the Spanish striker high on his shopping list but when asked about the possibility of a move to the Bridge, Cerezo said of his star striker: "If the question is, ‘Is there an agreement for Costa?’ then we have not heard anything."

Finally Talksport says that Diego Lopez has “reiterated his desire” to stay at Real Madrid despite overtures from Manchester City and Tottenham in recent weeks. Both clubs have been trailing the Madrid gloveman, who this season had deposed Real icon Iker Casillas between the sticks, but the 32-year-old seems happy to see out his career in Spain. “I have a contract, I want to continue here, I want to retire at Real Madrid,” replied Lopez when asked about his future. “I feel a lot of strength to continue. It’s a dream to stay here.”