AS.com

As top clubs circle around Atlético Madrid striker Falcao, the 'rojiblancos' are keeping a vigilant eye on the transfer market. The latest player arousing their interest is German international Mario Gómez. The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Bayern Munich, having struggled to displace Croat Mario Mandzukic in the Bavarian club's strike-force since returning from an ankle operation over the summer. In addition, the mooted arrival of Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandoski next summer is expected to reduce first-team opportunities for Gómez even further.

With Gómez looking to leave the Allianz Arena, the player's representatives have reported that Atleti have enquired about his availability. While Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani and Edin Dzeko remain at the top of Atlético's shopping list, the club would be enticed by the option of doing a cut-price deal for a striker still at his peak and who hit 45 goals in all competitions last season. However, with 'los colchoneros' firmly in the running for Champions League qualification, the club is thought to be confident of keeping hold of Falcao, ruling out any possible transfer swoops for the moment. But if the Colombian does leave, the Madrid outfit is keen to have a high-quality replacement ready, in the same manner as Diego Forlán and Falcao himself following the departures of Fernando Torres and Sergio Agüero respectively.