体坛英语新闻：Besiktas in loan bid for Uruguay midfielder Lodeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Besiktas are reportedly on the verge of securing a loan deal for Uruguay international midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro.

The 24-year-old is currently contracted to Brazilian side Botafogo, who on Wednesday night moved to deny the reports.

In a statement earlier in the day, the Turkish club said: "Talks with Botafogo over the loan transfer of Nicolas Lodeiro are underway."

Lodeiro, a regular member of Oscar Tabarez's national team, joined Botafogo from Ajax in July 2012 for an undisclosed fee.

His departure would represent a further blow to Botafogo's squad, already weakened by the departures of former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf, forward Rafael Marques and striker Hyuri in the past week.

Botafogo executive Anibal Rouxinol told local media in Rio de Janeiro that the club had "no intention of loaning Lodeiro."