Man Utd to fix striker crisis with shock bid for Serie A star and ex-Liverpool target

Mario Gomez is reported to be a target for Manchester United

MANCHESTER UNITED will make a bid for Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez in the January transfer window, according to reports in Italy.

 

The goal-shy Red Devils have managed just one goal in their last four games and Calciomercato claim manager Louis van Gaal is desperate to solve their goalscoring crisis.

They ended a long-running drought with a nervy 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League last night.

However, Van Gaal is understood to remain concerned by a lack of firepower and Gomez could come in to add goals to the frontline.

Despite Van Gaal appearing to ease the pressure on main goal-threat Wayne Rooney in the summer with the signing of Anthony Martial from Monaco, the Frenchman's blistering start to life in in England has stalled.

Fellow summer signing Memphis Depay's struggles have seen him dropped and Martial moved to the left-wing to provide cover.

And while his versatility is seen as a positive by Van Gaal, Gomez, 30, would provide the Dutchman with a more traditional striking option.

 

United boss Louis van Gaal is understood to be concerned by his side's lack of goals

That said, a move would come as something of a shock as the German's best days are widely believed to be behind him.

After leaving Bayern Munich in 2013, he managed just seven goals in 29 Serie A games.

He was sent to Besiktas on loan at the start of this season and seems to have rediscovered his scoring touch with eight goals in 10 games.

Before moving to Turkey, the Germany international was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.

A possible swap deal involving Mario Balotelli appeared to be on the cards at one stage, before the Italian eventually moved back to AC Milan.