United make firm offer for ‘next Messi’ target!

Manchester United have contacted Borussia Dortmund with a firm offer for midfield target Mario Gotze, according to German news source Bild.

Dortmund have long insisted that Gotze iss not for sale, no matter how big the fee offered, with CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke telling reporters: “All interested people are uninteresting to us. He remains at Borussia.”

But Manchester United continue to be linked to the 19-year-old, who was touted by Franz Beckenbauer as the next Lionel Messi.

United were said to be making a swoop for Wesley Sneijder, but Sir Alex Ferguson sees Gotze as a cheaper option for a midfield signing, with the Germany international demanding far lower wages than Sneijder.

And with only one week left in the transfer window, United are reportedly making an offer in the hopes of completing their squad as soon as possible.

Gotze has made 39 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since coming through the German outfit’s youth program, and has scored seven goals. The star has drawn the attention of Real Madrid as well as Manchester United.