According to reports from The Daily Star, Manchester United are ready to bid for Champions League-winning striker Mario Gomez but face late competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Manager Louis van Gaal has identified the German international as a potential January solution to Manchester United’s limited firepower, having scored the fewest goals, 17, of any club in the Premier League’s top seven after twelve games – with strikeforce Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial netting just five league strikes between them.
The Old Trafford gaffer knows Gomez well; he brought the 6 foot 2 striker to Bayern Munich in summer 2009, where he went on to produce 113 goals in 174 appearances across four campaigns. During his final season at the Allianz Arena, Gomez lifted a second Bundesliga title, a second DFK-Pokal and a first Champions League title before moving to Fiorentina in July 2013 for a €20million fee.
Following two underwhelming Serie A campaigns spoilt by injury, netting just seven times in 29 appearances, the 30-year-old now finds himself loaned out to Besiktas – for whom he has scored nine goals already this term -and unexpectedly attracting interest from some of the Premier League’s top clubs.
After a month of scouting, The Daily Star (citing Turkish television station LigTV) claim United are ready to launch a bid that would end Gomez’ SuperLig stay six months early, something which club president Fikret Orman claims would set them back around €20million – waiving Besiktas’ previously agreed option to buy clause in the process.
But late interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea could prove problematic. The Blues are also expected to be on the hunt for a new frontman in January amid reports that Radamel Falcao’s year-long loan will be cut short, having found just one start and one goal in the Premier League since his summer arrival from Monaco.
As an experienced and physical striker, Gomez fits the bill in regards to providing competition and cover for the struggling Diego Costa, although his age will certainly be of concern to a club who have a policy of only issuing one-year contract extensions for players over 30.