Madrid - Spanish football club Villarreal are close to selling off forward Matias Fernandez and Nihat Kahveci, according to reports in the Spanish media on Thursday.

Fernandez, 23, is to be sold to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon for around 4.5 million euros (6.32 million dollars). The Chilean striker has spent more time on the subs' bench than on the field for Villarreal since arriving there in 2006.

Nihat, 29, is set fair to return to his native Turkey, having been offered a four-year contract by Besiktas where he started his career in 1997.

Villarreal, who finished fifth in La Liga last season, are now coached by Ernesto Valverde. Manuel Pellegrini, the club's coach between 2004 and 2009, was signed up by Real Madrid three weeks ago. (dpa)