Turkish giants Besiktas have shifted their focus to signing Super Eagles-eligible central defender Emanuel Aiwu, with a proposed move for Manchester United's Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly stalling.

Bailly, a key member of the Elephants squad that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, has been declared surplus to requirements and is expected to seal a move away from Old Trafford before the close of the transfer window. 

Italian transfer market guru Fabrizio Romano has informed that Besiktas have approached Cremonese with an opening bid for  Emanuel Aiwu as talks with Manchester United for Bailly are stalling 

The Istanbul club have not received a positive response from Cremonese but negotiations are continuing. 

Aiwu has rejected the chance to join clubs in the Championship and has been approached by other teams in the United Kingdom. 

The 22-year-old registered 27 appearances in official competitions over the course of the 2022-2023 season but his future at Cremonese is up in the air following their relegation to the Serie B.

He has a contract with Cremonese until June 30, 2026 but does not want to play in the Italian second tier in the forthcoming season. 

Aiwu started his professional career at Admira Wacker and transferred to Cremonese last summer after wearing the colours of Rapid Vienna. 

Besiktas are also working on a deal to sign another Cremonese player, David Okereke but could be priced out of a move for the former Nigeria U23 international striker.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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