Bremen to land Basturk

The general consensus in the German press is that talented Turkish playmaker Yildiray Basturk will quit Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and join Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen.

It has been reported that the diminutive schemer has reached a verbal agreement to move to the Westerstadion and will sign a three-year deal worth an estimated £2.5 million a season.

Werder are keen to reinforce their depleted squad, with star striker Ailton and Mladen Krstajic both leaving the club in the summer.

Leverkusen general manager Ilja Kaenzig has reluctantly accepted that Basturk will be leaving Bayer but made no effort to hide his disappointment.

''We spent a lot of money to get him from Bochum and enabled him to become an internationally acclaimed player,'' Keaenzig told Express.

''But if it's thanks you are after, then you are in the wrong business.''

Basturk's departure could begin an exodus from Bayer this season - with German internationals Bernd Schneider and Oliver Neuville also rumoured to be on the move, along with Brazilian defender Lucio.