Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Mario Gomez and Victor Valdes Rumours

Mario Gomez has said he does not want to return to Fiorentina after his loan at Besiktas, as reports from Spain claim Manchester United have moved for the striker.  

Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t Mark Brus of Metro) said manager Louis van Gaal has made an approach for the Germany international, who is in fine fettle this season. 

The player has recovered his form after a disappointing spell in Serie A, and Gomez spoke about his happiness after an Italian nightmare, per the report: "After two difficult years, I feel very good in Istanbul and do not want to return to Fiorentina."

Gomez has previously been one of Europe's most deadly strikers, but he fell off the radar after moving to Tuscany. 

United have consistently struggled to find the back of the net this term, despite keeping pace with Premier League leaders Manchester City, and Gomez would be viewed as an affordable No. 9 addition in January. 

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The 30-year-old has huge experience at the top end of the game after four years at Bayern Munich, scoring 112 goals in 172 games after his move from Stuttgart, per BBC Sport. Gomez was the Bundesliga's most expensive signing when he transferred to Bavaria, and his addition helped the German side capture the Champions League and a historic treble. 

OptaFranz highlighted the striker's stunning club form this term during the international break:

Van Gaal must find a striker in the January window as Wayne Rooney continues to fire blanks for his club.

United have become reliant on a teenager to provide their ammunition, with the weight falling heavy on the shoulders of new signing Anthony Martial.

Martial has been superb in the opening weeks of his Old Trafford career, but the depth of squad options have become chronic for LvG after losing Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez in the summer.

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Rooney netted for England in their 2-0 win over France at Wembley, scoring a well-taken volley, and former United striker Teddy Sheringham believes the player can reproduce his best if Van Gaal reassesses his tactics, per ESPN FC's Kevin Palmer:

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Rooney will score goals if he is given the right kind of set-up to work in. He has proved that time and again down the years. 

All I would say is playing up front on your own is very tough. Not many players can pull that off successfully. I certainly wouldn't have fancied trying to play that role and always had a partner alongside me. 

Van Gaal is trying something different at Man Utd and it is not quite suiting Wayne Rooney at the moment. You have a top-quality player there, so you would like to think there is a way of finding a system that will suit him. It is up to the manager to work that out.

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Gomez is in great form, and the opportunity to move to the Premier League from Turkey would be a huge transfer for the player after his disappointment in Florence.

The striker's days at the top of the game appear to be over, but a union with United could be well-timed for both parties. 

Catalan Escape for Valdes

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United goalkeeper Victor Valdes could be offered an escape from his Old Trafford torment as Espanyol try to buy the player in January.

Simon Jones of the MailOnline said the Spanish club want the six-time La Liga champion to join their ranks, as the stopper continues to train alone at Carrington. 

However, Jones added Valdes is keen on staying in England after a deal to join Watford fell through in the summer.

Valdes was a strange capture for Van Gaal as the coach prepared for life without David De Gea. The Spanish international wasn't given the chance to prove himself as United's No. 1, and he was soon disregarded by LvG after falling out of favour.

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Espanyol would give the player a platform to rebuild his career after a serious injury, but a return to one of Catalonia's lesser clubs might be viewed as a failure by the former Barca hero. 

The Red Devils are now well-positioned in the Premier League, and Gomez would be a smart addition to a squad that has gradually grown in confidence since previous boss David Moyes' exit. 

If Van Gaal can find a striker who can add regular goals to his attack, an assault on the Premier League title is not out of the question.