Fenerbache up Yobo offer to £2m as Portsmouth recalls Kanu

Turkey side Fenerbahce are set to sign Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo on a permanent deal following an improved offer of £2m to English Premier League team Everton.

Fenerbahce’s initial offer of £1.5m was rejected by Everton, but it is believed they will now accept £2m for the central defender.

Everton manager David Moyes has deemed Yobo surplus to requirements at Goodison Park and he is keen to offload the defender in July.

The Nigeria defender has been on loan with the Istanbul giants for the past two seasons and has earned himself regular first-team place.

And across to Portsmouth Nigeria’s ex-international Kanu Nwankwo has been called back by the team as they continue to look for a solution to his contract and huge wage bill to the former Premiership side.

Michael Appleton has told Tal Ben Haim and Kanu he wants them back for pre-season training. But the Pompey manager is still to decide what part the controversial duo will play in proceedings. The Blues squad are scheduled to return on July 5 for two days of tests, followed by the start of full training on Monday, July 9.

All those contracted to the club will be included, irrespective of whether they are up for sale, in a bid to cut the wage bill.

Among them will be Ben Haim and Kanu, who have been criticised for their stance over compromise agreements.

Veteran striker Kanu, who has not played a match since October 2011, wants £300,000 to walk away from the final year of his contract. Ben Haim is demanding the full £2m his existing deal is worth in wages to leave Fratton Park.

The pair’s approach could yet cost the club an owner, with Portpin and the Pompey Supporters’ Trust adamant they cannot take the club on with its existing £9.5m wage bill.