Germany's Gomez in talks to join Besiktas

"Talks over the transfer of Mario Gomez have been opened with the player and his club," Besiktas said in a short statement.

The talks are believed to have progressed well and Gomez -- the former Bayern Munich striker -- is reportedly due to arrive in Istanbul late Wednesday to finalise discussions with the Italian club.

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.

Gomez, 30, has won 60 caps for Germany in an illustrious career, although he missed Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph due to injury.

He built his career in Stuttgart, before moving to Bayern Munich in 2009 and then Fiorentina in 2013.

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.

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.

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.