Premier League side Manchester City made an eleventh-hour bid to sign Germany striker Mario Gomez from Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart last Sunday, the forward revealed on Saturday.
Gomez, who is under contract in Stuttgart until 2012, told German tabloid Bild there was a multi-million euro offer for him from City just before the transfer window closed on Monday September 1, but his club refused.
With new Arabian investors at the helm, City recruited Brazilian Robinho for a British transfer record of £32.5 million (57.5 million US dollars) last Monday and bid for Gomez who scored in Stuttgart's 2-0 win over Hanover last Sunday.
“Yes, that is correct. After our win over Hanover, Manchester City made an offer which our manager, Horst Heldt, rejected,” confirmed Gomez in Bild.
Gomez, 23, was voted Germany's player of the year in 2007, but lost his place in die Mannschaft during last June's Euro 2008 tournament after a string of poor performances.
German giants Bayern Munich have repeatedly tried to sign him.
Although prone to injury, Gomez is a powerful forward and has already scored two goals in three games for Stuttgart this season after netting 19 times in 25 Bundesliga matches last term.
“My goal is to play for a top club abroad one day in either Italy, England or Spain,” Gomez told Bild.
“I don't think Manchester City's offer will be the last one for me.”
