Lazio midfielder Ogneyi Onazi is a Besiktas target and there are Premier League sides interested in the 23-year-old midfielder but his agent refused to confirm whether the clubs linked are actually West Ham and Sunderland as Talksport recently reported.

Onazi’s agent Stephen Makinwa told Turkish-football.com confirmed Besiktas interest but did not confirm whether the Hammers and the Black Cats had made an enquiry.

“I cannot confirm that [West Ham and Sunderland],” Makinwa said.

“Onazi has almost 40 caps for Nigeria at the age of 23 so interest from clubs across Europe is to be expected. What I can say is that Besiktas are one of the sides interested,” he added.

“There are many clubs interested in the Onazi including from England,” Makinwa said.

The 23-year-old made 14 league appearances for Lazio last season and the Serie A outfit are reported to be prepared to part ways with the Nigerian international.

The Rome based outfit do however, want £7 million for the central midfielder. Besiktas may struggle to match his asking price due to FFP commitments.

The Black Eagles must show that their income exceeds their expenditure during their three-year probationary period.

Besiktas are however, in pursuit of an additional central midfielder with Atiba Hutchinson being linked with a move abroad.

The Eagles lacked depth in central midfield last season with both Veli Kavlak and Toglay Arslan out for most of the season.

Besiktas still managed to win the Super Lig and will play Champions League football next season.

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