Liverpool are still in with a chance of signing Fiorentina star Mario Gomez despite the player being strongly linked with a move to Besiktas, reports the Daily Express.
It had been thought that the 30-year-old had been set to move to the Turkish side, but now his agent, Uli Ferber, has made it clear that no deal has been completed. He even mentioned that talks are ongoing with other sides, one of which could be the Reds.
“There are negotiations going on with several different clubs, including Besiktas,” Ferber said, “but nothing has been signed or agreed on yet.
“Nothing is decided.”
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However, the Merseyside club are close to signing Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke for £32.5 million [Sky Sports]. If the 24-year-old arrives at Anfield, it could mean that any deal for Gomez is off the table.
Indeed, Brendan Rodgers has already brought Danny Ings to the club to strengthen the position this summer, and it remains to be seen whether a third striker would represent one new face too many in a forward line that may already lack cohesion due to unfamiliarity.
Liverpool are in dire need of a goalscorer after struggling to hit the back of the net regularly last season. Losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge to injury were the main contributing issues to the problem, which formed a backdrop to a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
Gomez has scored 14 goals in 47 games in two injury-hit campaigns with La Viola, and may not be the answer Rodgers is looking for. Benteke, with his 49 goals in 100 appearances for the Villans, may be a far better option.