Yakin to remain with Basel

The 26-year-old schemer has long been tipped to leave St Jakobs Park, with Celtic, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all interested in his services.

Atletico had looked favourites to sign him after his agent confirmed that they had agreed personal terms with the Swiss international.

Yakin was then duo to hold talks with Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill about a move to Parkhead, but it now seems as though he will stay put.

Yakin's agent Ertan Irizik says that it is likely Yakin will begin pre-season training at Basel after failing to find a suitable move away.

Irizik claims the poor state of the transfer market is the reason but insists that Yakin is happy to remain with the Swiss outfit.

"Yes, we have agreed, Hakan will return for training again with Basel on Monday," Irizik.

"The European transfer market is practically dead. We have had nothing from Spain for weeks.

"And we always emphasised that Haki does not have to leave - he would only go if everything was right."

Yakin himself says that he will probably start the new season at Basel if he returns to training.

He is not too disappointed at remaining with Basel as he is enjoying his time there, but refused to rule out a move abroad in the future.

"I will remain in Basel now," said Yakin. "My contract is good, and I feel I will probably stay here.

"If I will go to training with Basel on Monday, I will almost certainly also start the new season with them.

"But in soccer, one never knows, everything happens so quickly. A foreign transfer could become a subject again soon."