German international “only wanted Florence”.
Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to join Real Madrid this summer.
The 28-year-old decided to leave Bayern Munich at the end of last season, and despite the fact that several top clubs from around Europe were interested in signing him, he eventually opted for Serie A and Florence.
Having scored his first two league goals for the Viola on the weekend in a 5-2 win over Genoa, the German international has explained his decision and admitted that he only wanted to join the Viola.
“I was flattered because all my family are Real Madrid fans,” Gomez said according to AS as reported by ESPN. “I appreciated their interest, but I told my agent I only wanted to go to Florence.”
However, he also revealed that part of the reasoning behind his decision to turn down a move to the Spanish capital came from the possible competition Karim Benzema represented.
While Gomez is likely to remain the number one choice in attack for Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella, he revealed that he wanted guarantees of first team football and feels he will be able to obtain that in Florence.
“I did not move on to another club of [Bayern’s] level,” he said. “If I had joined Real, I would have alternated with Benzema,” he added.
Gomez is expected to strike up a dangerous partnership with Giuseppe Rossi this year, and help Fiorentina reach their target of breaking into the top three in Serie A.
With a talented midfield full of technically gifted players, the German ace is expected to flourish in Florence and the early signs suggest he made the right decision.
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