Mathieu Valbuena, the France international at the centre of an interminable sex-tape scandal, has agreed to join Istanbul giants Fenerbahçe from Lyon. Fenerbahçe said in a statement that an agreement in principle had been reached for the 32-year-old attacking midfielder's transfer and the signing would follow later.

Fenerbahçe are looking to reinforce their side after finishing well behind champions Beşiktaş and surprise runners-up Başakşehir of Istanbul in the Turkish Super Lig last season. Third place gave Fenerbahçe entry to the third qualifying round of the Europa League but only a Super League championship would satisfy their fans.

Valbuena, whose France career was ended by the sex-tape scandal in which he was the victim of a blackmail attempt, enjoyed a long stint at Marseille up to 2014 before joining Dynamo Moscow and then moving on to Lyon a year later. He scored eight goals in 52 France appearances from 2010 to 2015.