Arsenal transfer news: Gunners set to compete with Chelsea over Barcelona's Arda Turan
The Turkey international has struggled to impress at the Nou Camp
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal and Chelsea are set to compete for Arda Turan’s signature as Barcelona look to offload the misfit midfielder, according to reports.
The Turkey international signed for the Catalan club last summer from Atletico Madrid in a £29m deal but had to wait until January to make his debut due to the FIFA ban imposed on the La Liga champions.
Turan has struggled to impress at the Nou Camp though and only managed 13 games in all competitions last season. He contributed just three goals and four assists.
The Turkey captain was also left out of all the side’s crucial Champions League clashes as manager Luis Enrique opted to overlook the midfielder.
In light of such a miserable season, there are calls within the club to let the 29-year-old go but Turan himself reportedly wishes to stay in Catalonia in order to prove his worth.
However, the arrival of Villarreal’s Denis Suarez at Barcelona will play against the midfielder who has faced a long struggle to nail down a place in the starting line-up.
According to Spanish publications Marca and AS, Barcelona are prepared to cut their losses and sell the player for £23m. Arsenal and now Chelsea are both allegedly interested in taking Turan off Barcelona’s hands to bring him to the Premier League.
There’s no doubting that Chelsea command the financial clout to meet such an asking price as incoming manager Antonio Conte readies a fresh overhaul at Stamford Bridge.
As for Arsenal, Spanish publication Sport has stated that the north London club has already made contact with Barcelona in regards to a potential Turan deal.
The Gunners have already signed one midfielder this summer in the shape of Granit Xhaka but the Swiss international offers more of a hard-tackling, defensive-minded approach than Turan's attacking, creative style.
Chelsea and Arsenal aren’t alone in their pursuit of Turan though. Both Borussia Dortmund and Fenerbahce have also been linked with the player.
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