Roma are close to signing Schalke forward Kevin Kuranyi in January, according to il Corriere dello Sport.

The former Germany international is among some of the best goal-getters in the Bundesliga, having recently celebrated scoring a century.

His contract with Die Knappen ends at the end of the season, and his club are believed be keen to cash in on the player in the upcoming transfer window, instead of losing him on a Bosman transfer during the summer.

Roma are keen to find some much-needed fire power and have already been linked with many well known forwards, as Luca Toni, David Suazo, Adriano, as well as Ruud van Nistelrooy have all been mentioned in the press as potential targets.

The controversial figure has not been part of the German national team since being left out of the squad in a World Cup qualifier against Russia last year, as coach Joachim Low said he would not choose the hitman again while he holds the reins, owing to the player walking out on the team.

Kuranyi has found the net seven times in fourteen games in the Bundesliga this season.

Alex Milic, Football Italiano