Besiktas president Fikret Orman has confirmed interested in Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli as they continue efforts to find a replacement striker for Mario Gomez.

Orman told reporters at Besiktas’ pre-season Austria camp that he would like to see Balotelli at the club and that he has been misunderstood.

“Of course I would like to see him here, you may think he would cause problems but off the pitch he is a great kid,” Orman said.

Besiktas are targeting several strikers including Balotelli and Chelsea forward Loic Remy.

The Istanbul giants have made a move for Balotelli according to Fanatik but the Italian striker would have to accept a lower salary than he is currently paid at Liverpool if he was to make the move.

The Black Eagles will be without last seasons top scorer Gomez who will not return to the Istanbul giants.

Gomez won the league title with Besiktas and earned a place back in the Germany national team following an impressive debut season on loan at the club.

Besiktas have targeted experienced strikers from Europe’s top leagues over the past two seasons signing Demba Ba the summer before last followed by Gomez.

Balotelli had another disappointing season scoring just once in the Serie A for AC Milan but Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes has a history of turning around the careers of strikers.

Gunes transformed Burak Yilmaz during his time at Trabzonspor, Fernandao ended the season as Super Lig goal king under his stewardship at Bursaspor and he managed to get the best out of Gomez last season.

Besiktas won the league title last season and will compete in the Champions League.

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