Sunderland winger Jeremain Lens is set for a move to Besiktas, as the Turkish side have reportedly agreed a £4.5 million fee with ‘The Black Cats’ according to a report from The Daily Mail.
The Netherlands international, who has made 34 appearances for his national side, scoring eight goals, started his career at AZ Alkmaar in his homeland of Holland, after progressing and impressing during his time in the youth set up there.
He made 55 appearances during a four-year spell, and scored 13 goals, before moving to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, where he impressed again, netting 34 goals in 96 appearances for ‘The Red and Whites’.
After 3 years at PSV, the 29-year-old opted to leave his country of birth for a new challenge, and signed for Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv in 2013.
He played 49 times for Kyiv, managing 10 goals, before finding himself at current club Sunderland in 2015, where he re united with former manager Dick Advocaat, who he had worked with at AZ and PSV.
However since his arrival, Lens has struggled to make an impact, making just 24 appearances in his time at the club, and was subsequently sent out on loan to Fenerbache last season.
Besiktas have made some impressive signings already, signing Real Madrid defender Pepe, and Leeds United target and Middlesbrough striker Alvaro Negredo, and will look to add the Sunderland man to the ranks in the coming days.
New Sunderland manager Simon Grayson has also had a fairly good window in comparison to other Championship clubs, securing the likes of Lewis Grabban on loan from Bournemouth, as well as the permanent signings of James Vaughan and Aiden McGeady, and will look to guide the club to a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking this campaign.
