Italians eye up Super Mario
VfB Stuttgart are resigned to losing striker Mario Gomez - the Bundelsiga's joint top-scorer - after his haul of 14 goals this season has attracted interest from Italy's top sides.
Gomez, 22, bagged a hattrick last weekend in his side's 6-3 win over Werder Bremen and Italian giants Juventus, Fiorentina and AC Milan have all expressed an interest even though the Germany international is contracted until 2012.
The striker has a market value of 20 million euros (30.6 million dollars) and Stuttgart are resigned to losing his services to a side with more financial clout.
"It is unrealistic Mario will fulfill his contract until 2012," said VfB Stuttgart manager Horst Heldt after Gomez has now scored 14 goals in 17 games to match Luca Toni's record of 14 goals for Bayern Munich.
"We are not naive enough to think he will play for his whole career in Stuttgart.
"But we want to keep him here are long as possible."
Gomez has scored four goals in eight internationals for Germany.
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