Cardiff City now face stiff competition to land Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia in January with Turkish giants Besiktas now reportedly ready to try acquire the Ivorian, according to Fotomac.

Football Insider reported earlier this week that Neil Harris and the Bluebirds' board had identified the proven Championship frontman as someone who could improve their side in January with Villa willing to listen to offers as well.

The same outlet reported in the summer that the West Midlanders had turned down a summer offer from Qatari side Al-Gharafa but having yet to make a start in the top-flight, they are now more likely to sell.

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It is not yet clear who is the front runner for his signature although it is likely that the lure of Europa League football with the Turkish side could prove more tempting than another spell in the Championship.

During his time with Bristol City and Aston Villa, Kodjia has racked up 47 goals in 139 appearances, and with Cardiff's strikers failing to produce in the first-half of the campaign, it is easy to see why they want to bring him in.

The verdict

If this is the choice facing Kodjia in January then I do fear for Cardiff's chances.

Kodjia is 30 now and will not have many other opportunities to play European football, so I would imagine he would prefer the move to Besiktas over South Wales.

However, first-team football will almost certainly be more readily available under Harrris and that could also play a factor in what Kodjia decides to do.