<!--Article Start--> <h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Turkish top flight club Besiktas announced on Wednesday that they were in talks with <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/tag/fiorentina/" target="_blank">Fiorentina</a>'s German international Mario Gomez over a move to the Istanbul-based club.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify"><em>"Talks over the transfer of Mario Gomez have been opened with the player and his club,"</em> Besiktas said in a short statement.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">The talks are believed to have progressed well and Gomez -- the former <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/category/germany/bayern-munich/" target="_blank">Bayern Munich</a> striker -- is reportedly due to arrive in Istanbul late Wednesday to finalise discussions with the Italian club.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Besiktas want Mario Gomez to replace Demba Ba</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Besiktas, who finished third in the Turkish Super Lig in the 2014/2015 season, have been hunting for a world class striker to replace Senegalese hitman Demba Ba who has joined Shanghai Shenhua.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Gomez, 30, has won 60 caps for Germany in an illustrious career, although he missed Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph due to injury.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">He built his career in Stuttgart, before moving to Bayern Munich in 2009 and then Fiorentina in 2013.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Gomez to join Podolski, Van Persie and Nani as super-stars in Turkey</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify">If the signing is completed, Gomez will be the latest big-name player to be joining the Turkish Super Lig ahead of next season for one of the big three Istanbul sides.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">His compatriot Lukas Podolski has joined reigning champions Galatasaray while Dutchman Robin van Persie and Portugal's Nani both signed for 19-time winners Fenerbahce from Manchester United.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Fiorentina, who finished fourth in Serie A last season, signed midfielder Mario Suarez from Atletico Madrid last week and will now be on the lookout for a top class striker, should Gomez complete his move to Turkey.</p> <strong>By AFP</strong> <!--Article End-->