Kobe reportedly made a formal approach to the Istanbul outfit Besiktas on Jan. 28 over the transfer of the national team striker, whose contract with the Turkish Superleague leaders expires at the end of the current European season. It is understood that Kobe officials have since flown to Istanbul and agreed upon the terms of the transfer with their counterparts.
The 28-year-old striker could be unveiled as a Kobe player before the start of the J.League season in March 13, pending his international clearance and medical.
Ilhan has a huge female following in Japan thanks to his good looks and exploits during the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea, during which Turkey finished in third place.
Perennial strugglers Kobe were faced with bankruptcy until Crimson Group, a capital fund owned by the president of Japan's largest Internet shopping mall "Rakuten," took over late last year. Veteran former Japanese international star Kazu Miura also plays for the team.
