The future of Atletico Madrid star Arda Turan should be resolved this week with his agent stating on Tuesday:
“We want to clarify that at this time there is a lot of pressure about this situation but we don’t want to make a formal statement about his destination before he signs. That being said, in the next four days Arda will decide which team he’ll play for next season.”
Turan, the Turkish international captain of some 81 caps, has expressed a desire to leave his current club (according to his agent) after several years of success. He signed for the La Liga side from Galatasaray in 2011 and is seen as one of the main reasons for Atletico’s unprecedented success over recent seasons.
The Madrid club have traded blows with the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid, winning La Liga a year ago and oh so nearly beating Real Madrid in the final, before an injury time goal from Sergio Ramos took the game to extra time.
Turan is a real master of the football. He rarely gives the ball away and plays the game with the sort of nonchalance usually reserved for a kick about in the park. He’s got the football intelligence to go with his natural ability and he’s in his prime at 28.
He usually plays in the right of midfield and loves to run with the ball and drive directly at the heart of defences to great effect.
He’s not a prolific scorer of goals but he is a team player of the very highest order.
According to The Guardian, Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign the player and they could well be in pole position for his signature.
If they do complete the deal they will have surely strengthened their grip on the Premier League trophy before a ball has even been kicked. Jose Mourinho is known for his mastery of the transfer market and there is little to suggest that Turan is about to blemish that record.
Manchester United and Chelsea fans will be waiting with bated breath for that announcement on Friday.
You can see some of Arda’s best moments here.