Catania have confirmed that Fulham have made a formal offer for striker Maxi Lopez, according to a report in Corriere Dello Sport this morning.

The Serie A club expect the Argentinian forward to leave during the January transfer window but a proposed move to AC Milan has fallen through. Catania had a pre-contract agreement to sell Lopez to AC Milan this month but with the Italian champions currently concentrating on trying to acquire Carlos Tevez, Milan have waived their rights to sign the 27 year-old.

Catania’s sporting director Pietro Lo Monaco is quoted as telling Italian radio station, Sports Radio Mano Mano:

There is an offer to Fulham for Maxi Lopez, but we assess potential developments in Italy. Fiorentina? Let’s see. Okaka? We do not care.

On Maxi Lopez still there are no particular developments. We can confirm the strong interest on the from Fulham, who have made an offer, which we are now considering. Meanwhile, we await developments on the Italian market.

Catania expect there to be domestic and foreign interest in Lopez, who has struggled to hold down a regular first-team spot this season. Palermo were rumoured to be ready to make a bid for the former Barcelona man, but the only concrete bid to date has come from Fulham. Martin Jol, who is keen to supplement his striking resources this month, could face competition for Lopez’s signature from Fiorentina.