Barcelona and Turkey midfielder Arda Turan. (Photo : Getty Images)
Back-to-back La Liga champions FC Barcelona is reportedly keen on keeping Turkish attacking midfielder Arda Turan despite numerous transfer links from different big-name clubs such as the Premier League's Chelsea and Arsenal.
Barça's sporting director Robert Fernandez told reporters that the 29-year-old Turkey national team skipper is going nowhere even though the club had acquired young midfielder Andre Gomes from Valencia last week.
Goal reported that Turan has had "underwhelming performances" with the club during his 18-game appearance for the Catalonia giants last term. Turan was signed from Atletico Madrid in July of last year for €34 million, plus €7 million in variables, but he was able to make his debut game just this January after the Blaugrana's transfer ban had been lifted.
He scored a measly two goals since that time in 25 games in all competitions for Barça, but was able to provide four assists.
Speculations abound early in the summer that the 5-foot-10 Fatih, Turkey native will be off-loaded before the new season starts, but the Catalan club is now denying those rumors.
"Arda's situation has not changed," said Fernandez in one press conference. "He has had a difficult season, but we all know that his performances the year before that were very good. We are waiting for the Arda Turan of Atletico Madrid to return."
Meanwhile, ESPN indicated that the arrival of Gomes could mean that Turan will be dropped further down the pecking order of head coach Luis Enrique as the Spanish manager also has Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Rafinha, Sergi Roberto, and Denis Suarez in his 4-3-3 midfield options.
The report mentioned that Arsenal, Monaco, and Besiktas have inquired about the availability of Turan, but the midfielder himself is said to be eager to stay at the Nou Camp and try to work it out with Barcelona.
"We expect a lot from Arda, his performances," Fernandez said. "He had a difficult year, we must not forget he had the issue of the FIFA ban. And it is not easy to play for Barça."
Fernandez was also asked about the status of their search for a backup forward that will support the team's first-choice attackers of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez, which is still unfruitful at the moment.
"We are on top of the situation - we could sign a young player, or someone more experienced," the director said. "When you are looking for someone to improve the team, you have many names on the table, and must analyze very well who is best for the team."
