Nigeria striker Yakubu Ayegbeni is weighing up a move to Turkey, with Fenerbahce and Karabuksor believed to be likely destinations for the forward.

The28-year-old is currently on loan to Leicester City from Everton. Although the deal is with the option of a permanent signing, the Foxes’ failure to secure promotion to the Premier League has left the striker looking elsewhere for top-flight football.

Yakubu has fallen out of favour at Everton, and it is widely understood that both player and club are keen to sever their £11.5-million relationship.

The striker spent nearly eight months out with injury and failed to regain his place in the Everton first team on his return, while going off to the African Nations Cup with Nigeria in 2010 while not fully fit did little to help his situation with the club.

Things were made exceedingly worse by a miserable Nigeria World Cup performance remembered mostly for his close-range miss against South Korea, although he showed bravery to step up and nerves of a steel to convert a penalty less than a minute later.

Everton are unlikely, however, to recoup anything near what was then a record fee when they signed the striker, although they can take consolation from the 25 goals he racked up in his 82 appearances for the Toffees.

Everton now want around £3-million for the Nigerian, but will be happy to get half that.

Sources close to the player tell KickOffNigeria.com he would welcome a move to Turkey, although there had been interest from at least one of the teams just promoted from the Championship.

KickOffNigeria.com understands that agent Athole Still, who has excellent contacts in Turkey, is said to be actively working on securing a move for the striker to the Super Lig.

Karabukspor, flush with cash after their €7-million sale of Emmanuel Emenike to Fenerbahce, are in the frame, as are Karabukspor.

Yakubu was in Nigeria recently after taking part in Michael Essien’s Peace Match in Accra, but is now holidaying in the United States.


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