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GOMEZ SET FOR STUTTGART TALKS

Stuttgart president Erwin Staudt has revealed plans for clear-the-air talks between chairman Dieter Hundt and striker Mario Gomez.

The forward has been persistently linked with a move to German champions Bayern Munich and the speculation has overshadowed his performances at Euro 2008.

Rumours over the player's future have also reportedly led to a rift between him and the chairman - something which Staudt is keen to address.

Staudt told German daily the Stuttgarter Zeitung: "I will ensure that both sit down at the table. With that, the case would be closed.

"Mario should concentrate on the European Championship. After that we will find a time for that conversation. There has to be calm - and I will achieve that."

Stuttgart officials held talks last week with their Bayern counterparts, but the club have always denied they are prepared to sell Gomez.

Staudt added: "We are in control of the deal. Mario Gomez belongs to our family - and we fight for every family member."

Germany captain Michael Ballack earlier suggested Bayern's pursuit of the 22-year-old had unsettled the striker.

Gomez has certainly failed to live up to expectations in Austria and Switzerland, failing to score in Germany's three group games before being dropped for the quarter-final win over Portugal.

SportingLife.com