Arda Turan: Should Arsenal go for him in January?

Arda Turan is arguably the best attacking midfielder in Liga BBVA. His amazing dribbling skills, his eye for a killer pass and his goalscoring record make him a perfect player for most clubs. In the 2012/13 season, Turan has scored 4 goals and created 3 goals, with 19 shots in just 16 games so far.

Many top European clubs are reportedly after him, including Arsenal, who are rumoured to have agreed personal terms with the 25 year old Turkish international. It is unlikely that Arsenal will pay €24 million (£19.7 million) for Turan as that is the buy out clause in his contract.

Turan’s agent, Ahment Bulut said: ‘I have wanted to see him play for another team in another league and Arda also wants to play for another club, to live a different experience. We are working now to make it happen. Atletico know what our intention is. If all goes well, Arda will leave the Madrid club at the end of this season.’ This implies that the January transfer will not go through, but instead it will go through in the summer.

Even if the transfer does go through, you can’t help but wonder where he will play, and if he will ever play? With players like Jack Wilshere who is back to fitness, Mikel Arteta who seems to be one of the first names on the team sheet and Santi Cazorla who is Arsenal’s new main man in midfield, there’s going to be a huge battle for a spot in the starting line-up. Maybe on the wing? But with Theo Walcott signing – or if he signs – a new contract, will that happen? Maybe Walcott could play down the middle? These are the type of questions Arsene Wenger will have to answer.

Arsene Wenger seems to be the reason Turan is likely to go to Arsenal it seems as well, with his agent saying, ‘He (Arda Turan) is interested in working under Arsene Wenger because he is very good at working with young players, and Arda wants to work in England.’

Maybe a bad addition to the Arsenal squad, some would argue as he would knock some players who are already established in the team out, such as Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain? In my opinion, that’s healthy competition and would improve all the players involved which would be perfect for Arsenal, and for the present and future of the club.

Written by Alex Thornley

Follow him on Twitter @_alextee

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