Slaven Bilic confirms Besiktas still want to sign Tottenham Hotspur outcast Younes Kaboul

Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic admits he is still keen to add Tottenham Hotspur defender Younes Kaboul to his squad.

Kaboul, 29, was made Tottenham captain by manager Mauricio Pochettino at the start of the season but has slowly slipped out of favour at White Hart Lane, falling behind Jan Vertonghen, Federico Fazio and Eric Dier in the pecking order.

With his future at the club looking bleak, West Ham United were credited with keen interest in taking the defender on before the January window closed but a deadline day move to Upton Park fell through.

With Kaboul's current contract set to expire at the end of the season and with little chance of an extension being offered, the player is free to talk to clubs abroad over a move in the summer.

And while a right back is a bigger priority for Besiktas manager Bilic, the former West Ham and Everton defender would also like to bring the Spurs centre half to Turkey.

"We really need a right back, but I'd also like to see Younes Kaboul join us," Bilic was quoted as saying by Tutto Mercato Web.

Besiktas were interested in signing Kaboul during the January transfer window but were reportedly told by Tottenham they "definitely do not intend to sell any of our players during the transfer period," according to Bilic earlier this month.

Tottenham's ongoing Europa League campaign is likely to have influenced the decision to retain Kaboul in January. The club recommence their campaign against Serie A side Fiorentina on Thursday and will once again be tasked with striking a balance between their pursuit of a top four finish in the Premier League and progressing in Europe.