Villarreal to nip in for Nihat

Villarreal are reported to be closing on a deal that will see Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci join them in the summer.

Real Sociedad star Nihat seemed poised to leave the Basque outfit for Spartak Moscow during the transfer window, but Sociedad opted to veto the deal after losing Darko Kovacevic for the remainder of the season.

However, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the Turk is entitled to talk to interested parties regarding a free transfer move.

Spartak are still keen on the 26-year-old, but the player himself would prefer to remain in Spain and could now get that chance with Villarreal.

Nihat's agent Luis Puebla has held progressive talks with the Yellow Submarines and believes an agreement could be reached in the near future.

"I have spoken with (Villarreal director general) Jose Manuel Llaneza and the positions are very advanced," Puebla explained.

"However, we cannot announce an agreement yet."

Nihat has refused to discuss the matter himself, but Villarreal striker Diego Forlan has spoken in glowing terms about the former Besiktas man and believes he would be a valuable addition at El Madrigal.

"He is a great forward and would do much to strengthen us," Forlan declared.