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What's the story?
Arda Turan is keen on leaving Barcelona and moving back to former club Galatasaray in the January transfer window, according to a report in Spanish news outlet, AS. The Turkish midfielder has barely featured for the Catalan giants this season and is definitely not in Ernesto Valverde's plans. Turan has been recalled to the Turkish national team by new manager Mircea Lucescu and has been told to seek first-team football, or risk losing out on a potential World Cup place. Thus, Turan has instructed his agent to ensure a move away, although Galatasaray are not the priority, with offers from top Premier League and La Liga clubs being fielded.
Also Read: 5 Barcelona players Ernesto Valverde should sell
In case you didn't know...
Arda Turan was educated at Galatasaray in his youth, and becoming a first-team fixture later on before making a move abroad to Atletico Madrid in 2011, with the Rojiblancos parting with 13 million for his services. After winning La Liga in 2013/14 with Atletico, Turan moved to Barcelona for a massive €34 million (+ 7 million in add-ons) in 2015. Curiously enough, Barcelona had a transfer ban at the time, and Turan was only able to play the following year, making his debut in January.
The heart of the matter
Galatasaray President, Dursun Ozbek, had earlier admitted that he had discussed a move for Turan in the summer, but it broke down as their former captain wanted to give it one last shot at Barcelona before giving up on his 'dream club'.
The Blaugrana have played 11 competitive games this season, and Turan has not featured in a single minute. To make matters worse, the Turkish midfielder has been left out of the squad entirely, only appearing on the bench against Real Betis. Ernesto Valverde has made it clear to Turan that his future lies elsewhere.
The Turk has the offer of a lifetime contract at Galatasaray but is also fielding offers from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, with the Premier League club likely to offer him a better chance of first-team football.
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Author's Take:
For a player signed for circa €40 million, Barcelona will view the purchase of Arda Turan as an unmitigated disaster. The Turk has barely been afforded chances, and even when done so, has looked out of place and a shadow of the player who shone so brilliantly for Atletico Madrid in their Liga winning season. Barcelona would do well to recoup even half the price they paid for the Turkish midfielder.
