Beckenbauer confirms Bayern's interest in Toni
"He's a guarantee for goals. He has character, he always helps the squad and he's a special type of person," Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer was quoted as saying in an interview in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "I really hope he comes."
The 1.93 meter (6-foot-4) Toni is widely expected to leave Fiorentina at the end of this season.
Toni was the top scorer in Europe last season with 31 Italian league goals and he has 16 with four rounds remaining this season. He also scored two headers in Italy's 2-0 win over Scotland in a European Championship qualifier in March.
Juventus and Inter Milan are other rumored destinations for Toni, who turns 30 later this month.
Bayern has struggled this season and is only fourth in the Bundesliga, nine points behind leader Schalke.
"Bayern needs fresh blood," Beckenbauer added. "We need players that can fight for the club on the field and there are not many of those. Toni seems ideal to me. Bayern must start winning again."