Forest Defender Set For Besiktas Transfer After Medical

Besiktas' fans celebrate their 2016-2017 Turkish league champion title after the Turkish Spor Toto Super league football match between Besiktas and Osmanlispor near the Vodafone Park stadium on June 3, 2017 in Istanbul. / AFP PHOTO / YASIN AKGUL (Photo credit should read YASIN AKGUL/AFP/Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall is undergoing a medical at Turkish giants Besiktas ahead of a loan move until the end of the season, TEAMtalk has learned.

Besiktas have been seeking defensive reinforcements, exploring options like Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles, but ultimately settled on Worrall. His presence at Besiktas’ recent game fueled transfer rumors.

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Despite interest from Sheffield United and Leeds United, Worrall found himself out of favor under both Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest.

As a homegrown player, any sale of Worrall would benefit Forest’s Financial Fair Play regulations. With the English window closed, this loan to Besiktas allows them to clear his wages off the books.

Besiktas offer guaranteed first-team football, which Worrall desires, while Forest benefit financially. Although a permanent move isn’t ruled out, sources state this is currently a loan.

Having made 226 appearances for Forest, Worrall’s future at the club remains unclear upon his return from the loan.

Besiktas are currently third in the Super Lig table on 39 points, they are out of the title race as the leaders Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are 24 points ahead of them but the race for a top four finish which would ensure European competition football is still on.