Mario Gomez
Mario Gomez has blamed the political situation in Turkey on his refusal to return to Besiktas OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images

Barcelona's attempts to agree a deal for striker Mario Gomez have been boosted by clarification that Borussia Dortmund are not in the running for his signature. The veteran Germany international is expected to leave Fiorentina on a permanent basis this summer after resurrecting his injury-plagued career in 2015-16 by firing 28 goals in all competitions during a highly productive season-long loan stint with Besiktas.

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That initial arrangement featured an option for the Super Lig champions to purchase Gomez on a full-time basis, but any hopes of a deal being agreed were scuppered when the player confirmed via a Facebook post that he would definitely not be returning to Turkey due to the political situation in the country.

Besiktas have not given up hope of signing Gomez, who scored for semi-finalists Germany against Northern Ireland and Slovakia at Euro 2016 before being ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a pulled hamstring. Club spokesman Metin Albayrak told Dogan News Agency earlier this week that it was difficult given that he was in "serious talks" with both Barcelona and Dortmund, but claimed that former manager Slaven Bilic had no interest in taking him to West Ham United.

Responding to those claims, BVB sporting director Michael Zorc told German television channel Sport1: "Maybe he is in negotiations, but not with Borussia Dortmund. We have read about it from the media and it's very interesting, but there is no truth to it."

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has made little secret of his desire to sign a "pure" and "true" striker this summer to compliment his formidable 'MSN' attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, although has thus far been repeatedly thwarted in pursuit of the likes of Nolito, Angel Correa, Gabriel Jesus, Luciano Vietto and Kevin Gameiro. The reigning La Liga champions have so far recruited Andre Gomes, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne and Denis Suarez during the current transfer window.

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