Ailton in Besiktas link

Schalke striker Ailton appears to be on the verge of a move to Besiktas.

Brazilian striker Ailton appears to be on the verge of a move to Turkish giants Besiktas according to reports in the German press.

Big-selling tabloid Bild reports that Schalke have accepted a ‚é¼3.5 million offer for the 32-year old striker, who is tied up to the Royal Blues until 2006.

Schalke are now waiting on the former Werder Bremen star to make up his mind whether or not he wants to move to Turkey.

"We have turned down a first bid for him, but we received a new offer in which Besiktas confirmed by fax that they will meet our expectations,"declared Schalke team manager Andreas Muller.

Despite helping the club to the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup, the unsettled forward had failed to settle at the Veltins-Arena [formerly ArenaAufSchalke] since his transfer from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2004.

Schalke had recently made no secret out of their intention to part company with the ageing forward should a club be willing to meet their asking price.

Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick has already agreed to sell the moody Brazilian, but insists that he needs a proper replacement should Ailton really leave.

"All that is missing is that the player has now to agree personal terms with Besiktas, but if he really leaves, we will have to react up front," insisted Rangnick.

Schalke have tracked Danish forward Soren Larsen for some time and Ailton's transfer fee could be used to prise the striker away from Swedish outfit Djurgardens, who had previously turned down a ‚é¼1.3 million offer for the talented youngster.