Arsenal fans might be in a dilemma right now as they do not know whether to be happy about seeing Arda Turan get linked with their club or be sad about the prospects of Alexis Sanchez quitting Emirates this summer.
Sanchez has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer as Juventus look closer to offer in excess of £35million to seal a transfer for the Chilean superstar. And according to Marca, Wenger is keeping a close eye on Turan’s position at Barcelona after the Turkish star has been repeatedly ignored by Luis Enrique.
With Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar ahead of him, Turan has failed to nail down a regular starting position at Camp Nou and is considering a summer transfer. The Blaugrana want at least £25milliom for Turan who signed for them in a £30m deal last summer.
Turan had to spend 6 months on the sidelines due to Barcelona’s transfer ban and became an active part of the squad from January onwards. Nothing changed for the player though who kept waiting on the sidelines for his chances.
Given Arsenal were interested in the player when he was moving away from Atletico has fueled up the rumour mills which suggests that the Gunners will make the move for him this summer.
However, if Arsenal fans remember what he said last summer about their club, I doubt many would even want him at the club. Before a crucial match for Atletico Madrid, Turan acknowledged the North London outfits’ interest and said: "I was feeling that I would sign for Barca. Sincerely I thought: 'If I play very well I will end up signing for Barca. If I play well I will end up at Arsenal.”
Turan’s bad spell continued at UEFA Euro 2016 this summer where Turkey crashed out in the group stage which has left the 29-year-old assessing his options in the coming few weeks. Few have suggested Fenerbahce as the ideal option for Turan to head to, where he will replace Nani, who joined Valencia last week.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are holding tight to see whether Sanchez bids farewell to them or stays at the club for another season to gauge the progress, if any, the club has made in the last 12 months.
Manchester United could play some part in this transfer as well given their never-ending interest in Paul Pogba. If United are to pay the reported €120million for Pogba, it would put Juventus in a strong position to make an official bid for Sanchez and test Arsenal’s resolve this summer.
For all major confirmed transfers of 2016/17 click here
