Besiktas keen on Phil Bardsley?

Turkish side Besiktas are reportedly prepared to offer Phil Bardsley a route out of Sunderland.

The defender has been told that he is free to leave the Stadium of Light, having been suspended for mocking the club's 1-0 defeat to Fulham on the opening day of the season.

That has alerted Besiktas, who are currently short in the right-back department, according to The People.

Bardsley, 28, joined the Black Cats in 2008 from Manchester United.