England return beckons for Yobo

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo looks set to make a return to the English Premier League if reports in Turkey are anything to go by, as he has been linked with a move to newly promoted side Cardiff City.

According to reports in Turkey, Cardiff City are lining up a move for the former Everton defender, who is reportedly far from happy at Turkish giants Fenerbahce, who missed out on the Super Lig title to Istanbul rivals Galatasaray last month.

Since the season ended on May 19, coach Aykut Kocaman has left the club and the 32-year-old centre back is believed to be unhappy with the departure.

In addition, Fenerbahce recently completed the £5million signing of Portuguese defender Bruno Alves from Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg, and as a result Turkish newspaper Fanatik reported that Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay's recruitment team are considering a move for the experienced star who spent nine years at Everton under David Moyes.

The fact that the Turkish Football Federation now only permits six foreign players to take the field at one time in league matches means that the man whose international career with Nigeria also looks in doubt could be available on a cut-price deal.

Yobo, who signed for Fenerbahce for £2m last summer, is Nigeria’s most-capped player having appeared 95 times for the Super Eagles in a 12-year career. And it is that kind of experience that Mackay has claimed he is looking for in his summer recruits as the Bluebirds get set for their first ever campaign in the English top flight division.

While not commenting specifically on Yobo, Mackay, speaking from his holiday in Crete, said: “Our recruitment department is in a very busy period right now working through things. Me and (Cardiff manager) Iain Moody are in touch two or three times a day. “He’s beavering away.”