Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Istanbul - Besiktas Istanbul are looking to sign former German international Fabian Ernst from Schalke 04, the German television station NTV reported Saturday, citing Turkish media sources.

According to the report, a deal is expected to be signed in the coming days for the defensive midfielder although Schalke have denied Ernst is going anywhere.

"So far there have been no enquiries from clubs about signing Fabian Ernst," a Schalke spokesman told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Ernst joined Schalke from Werder Bremen in 2005 and has a contract with the Bundesliga club until the end of the 2010 season. The 29- year-old has made 14 league appearances so far this season. dpa