Norwich City transfer rumours: Ivo Pinto touted with Turkey move

Ivo Pinto has been touted with Turkey Picture: Matthew Usher/Focus Images ©Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +447814 482222

Ivo Pinto appears to be a man in demand, with fresh reports he has joined Turkish Super Lig club MKE Ankaragücü at their mid-winter training camp to thrash out a potential loan deal.

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Pinto was linked with Turkish rivals Rizespor earlier in the week but respected football web site, Transfermarkt.com, claimed on Thursday morning Ankaragücü have moved into pole position, with the right back poised to agree an initial six-month switch.

Unofficial MKE Ankaragücü fan sites on social media suggested earlier on Thursday morning Pinto had headed to their training camp in Antalya as he looks to finalise his next career move.

Pinto is free to speak to overseas clubs after entering the final six months of his current Carrow Road deal.

MKE Ankaragücü are currently 12th in the 18-team Turkish top flight and resume their league campaign on January 20 at big hitters Galatasaray.

Turkish television station, Super Haber, reported on Monday Turkish top flight bottom club Rizespor had opened initial talks with the Canaries regarding the defender, who was again an unused substitute in last Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth.

Max Aarons has had a superb breakthrough season in City’s Championship promotion tilt to establish himself as Daniel Farke’s first choice at right back, which has restricted Pinto to just five senior appearances.

Matt Jarvis and Steven Naismith look set to move on in the summer when their Norwich contracts run out and Pinto appears to be in the same situation.

The Portuguese defender’s compatriot, Nelson Oliveria, was also linked to Turkey ahead of the January transfer window after reports Besiktas are interested in the frontman.

Pinto joined Norwich from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 and has made 94 appearances for the Canaries.

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