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| FC Barcelona in talks to sign Mario Gomez |
FC Barcelona are still in the hunt for a striker to strengthen their front line for the new season and a lot of names have been linked with the club.
After missing out on the acquisition of Luciano Vietto, Kevin Gameiro and Gabriel Jesus who joined Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively, Barça are now forced to look elsewhere to get a number 9 with the likes of Robin Van Persie, Alexander Lacazette and a host of other names linked, now there have been different rumours recently linking them with Fiorentina's 32-year old striker Mario Gomez.
The former Bayern Munich striker played on loan for Turkish club Besiktas last season and the club are eager to tie him to a permanent deal as soon as possible as they see him as a crucial figure to the club's successes. However, the club have confirmed that there are difficulties in negotiations with CEO Metin Albayrak claiming the player is in strong negotiations with FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
“Our fans expect to see Gomez again at Besiktas, but we know it will be difficult to see him back here. Mario is in talks with Barça and Dortmund, it is not easy for us, but we're monitoring the situation closely,” said Besiktas CEO Metin Albayrak to Dogan News Agency.
Reports in England suggested that West Ham were interested in bringing the striker to the EPL with a £7 million bid being prepared but Albayrak insisted that he spoke with the English club and was informed they are not in negotiations with him.
“I spoke with Slaven Bilic on the phone this morning. He said that they’re not interested in Mario Gomez,” he said.
Mario Gomez is almost certain to leave Turkey this summer due to the recent political situation of the country and he stated it publicly that he is to leave due to political situation. Barça can be seen as favourites to snap him up after Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said Mario Gomez won't be joining BVB.
“Mario Gomez to Dortmund? No. We're stocked in his position. Mario Gomez surely doesn't want to be in competition with Aubameyang,” he said.
Fiorentina are interested in signing Barça young forward Cristian Tello and they are willing to include Mario Gomez in a swap deal to get their man. Barça's position in the situation is still unclear.
Mario Gomez, although old, will bring Barça strength and experience in attack, he scored 28 goals in 41 appearances for Besiktas last season.
