JOSEPH YOBO has urged Everton FC and Fenerbahce to come to an agreement over his future quickly after declaring he feels at home in Turkey.
The Blues hope that the defender’s public admission he wants to remain at the Superlig giants permanently will put pressure on them to finally do a deal.
Negotiations between the two clubs have dragged on for almost two years, with Fenerbahce twice taking the 31-year-old on season-long loans.
But Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is determined Fenerbahce, who have finished first and second during Yobo’s spell in Istanbul, will not get the Nigerian captain on the cheap.
Reports emerged yesterday suggesting the Yellow Canaries’ chairman Aziz Yildirim had tabled a £2m bid to his Everton counterpart, amid rumours Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson was also interested.
But the Blues, who want to improve their summer financial landscape by bringing money in early, will not listen to offers of less than £3m for a player who had made 69 appearances while on loan.
The ECHO understands Everton have not received any contact from Leicester over Yobo, although other European clubs are believed to be interested – even if Yobo’s high wage demands could deter some of his admirers.
“I am very happy in Turkey and at Fenerbahçe it is my family,” Yobo is reported to have told Turkish media.
“I feel at home here, hopefully an agreement will be reached and I can continue playing at the club,” he said.
Despite a corruption scandal which saw Fenerbahce investigated on match fixing allegations, and withdrawn from the Champions League in 2011, they still wield financial muscle.
Only last week they were linked with a move for Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden, as they prepare for next season still smarting after bitter rivals Galatasaray drew level on 18 championships with them last term.
Yobo is currently injured and has been ruled out of next month’s 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The former Bruges centre back sustained an injury during the Turkish Cup final, which Fenerbahce won by trouncing Bursapor 4-0.
According to Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi,Yobo will be out for more than a month, but he has otherwise had an impressive fitness record in Istanbul.
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