Chelsea ‘looking at Mario Gomez to replace Torres’

CONFUSION surrounds the future of Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez with sources split as to his intentions.

The Daily Star claims that Chelsea are lining up a £34m bid for the 26-year-old in the New Year as Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas looks to replace goal-shy Spaniard Fernando Torres.

Apparently Villas-Boas reckons that Gomez – who's scored eight goals in five outings this season – will do the business at Stamford Bridge. Quite where Torres will end up isn't clear, though Chelsea fans probably don't care just as long as it's faraway from London SW6.

But German rag Sport Bild says that far from leaving Bayern Munich in January, Gomez will sign an extension to his existing contract. The German international hitman is highly prized at Bayern and coach Jupp Heynckes is desperate to hang on to Gomez in the face of interest from Chelsea as well as Borussia Dortmund and a host of Spanish clubs.

Bild reckons that Gomez, whose contract expires in 2013, will shortly be made an irresistible offer by Bayern, one that will keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

Furthermore, Bild claims that instead of sniffing around Gomez, Borussia Dortmund would do well to take care of their own sensation – Mario Gotze. Apparently Bayern want the 19-year-old playmaker and will make an approach in the New Year, which if true will be bad news for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger has publicly admitted he would like to have Gotze at the Emirates.

In other news, Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has refused to rule out the possibility that he'll be moving on in January. Recent rumours have suggested the Frenchman is unhappy at playing second fiddle to fumbling Fernando Torres and in an interview with Chelseafc.com the 31-year-old said: "I am linked everywhere but when you are linked it doesn't mean you want to leave."

Last week Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas said he believed Anelka would leave on a free transfer next summer but the player himself hinted he might pack his bags earlier: "I will see what happens in December and if I am still here I will see what happens in June," he said, adding: "It is not only down to me."

Swansea, the only Premier League team to have been beaten by Arsenal this season, are chasing Hungarian centre-half Zoltan Liptak.

The 26-year old, who has been capped 10 times by his country since making his debut last year, is available on a free transfer after quitting Hungarian outfit Videoton last month. Talking to Hungarian paper Nemzeti Sport, Liptak said he trialled with Swansea last week and a decision on his future will be made shortly.

Finally, Michael Owen has signalled that much as he loves the club he might quit Manchester United if he doesn't start getting regular game time.

The former England striker bagged a brace for United in their 3-0 defeat of Leeds in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie – his first appearance of the season – and the Daily Mirror quotes the 31-year-old saying: "I've got a few years left and I would love them to be at Manchester United. For that to happen I would need to be involved." ·