FC Cologne have started preliminary talks with Mainz about the outright acquisition of Super Eagles invitee, Anthony Ujah, who has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting 11 goals in the 2 Bundesliga.

Influential German newspaper Bild writes on its website that Cologne face competition from two unnamed teams in Europe for the services of Ujah in the summer transfer market.

''I would be very happy if Tony stays. He feels at home here, the fans love him. Of course there is a risk that another club comes with more money and take him,'' Toni Schumacher, Cologne vice - president, told Bild.

Anthony Ujah switched to Mainz 05 from Lillestrom in 2011 for a transfer fee of 2.5 million euros. The agreement between club and player expires at the end of the 2014 - 2015 season.