Yakin eyes Stuttgart move

Swiss playmaker Hakan Yakin looks set for a move to Die Bundesliga, according to reports emanating from Switzerland and Germany.

The talented 27-year-old has expressed a desire to move from FC Basel and high-fliers Stuttgart look the likeliest destination for the crowd favourite.

Having been a dominant figure in Swiss football over the previous few seasons, Yakin believes he must now move to a bigger European stage if he is to further his career.

Stuttgart, whom Yakin's elder brother Murat played for in the 1997-1998 season, have previously expressed an interest in the player, but were put off by a ‚é¼4 million fee Basel had put on the player.

However, with the player's contract ending in 2005, the Swiss outfit are said to be willing to accept a bid of ‚é¼2 million rather than risk losing the player to a Bosman next year.

Stuttgart coach Felix Magath has spoken of his surprise on discovering Yakin has voiced his desire to move to Germany.

''Originally we had ended our transfer activities, but then something happened and Yakin signalled that he wanted to leave Basel and join us,'' Magath told Kicker.

Yakin has previously been linked to Liverpool and PSG, with a move to France having broken down last summer.