Turkey’s NTVSpor reports Birmingham are signing Besiktas winger Kerim Frei for a fee believed to be around €2.5m.
The Turkish international was the subject of interest from host of Premier League clubs including West Brom and Sunderland, but Championship club Birmingham is the one who have won the race, reports NtvSpor.
West Brom were strongly linked to Frei just before the winter window opened, with it being claimed Tony Pulis’ side were lining up a bid.
NTVSpor now report that Birmingham have had an offer accepted.
SON DAKİKA: Beşiktaş, Kerim Frei’ın transferi için İngiltere Championship ekibi Birmingham ile 2.5 milyon Euro’ya anlaştı pic.twitter.com/2vS5MEp0Xe
— NTV Spor (@ntvspor) January 19, 2017
Former Fulham player Frei had made it clear he would only leave Besiktas for England, as he rejected Antalyaspor multiple times. The 23-year old will now join Gianfranco Zola’s team and is making his return to English football.
Kerim’s place in the team was in danger after Besiktas signed former Liverpool man Ryan Babel, and manager Senol Gunes is clearly thinking of Ricardo Quaresma and Aras Özbiliz ahead of him.
