Arda Turan’s agent is trying to secure an exit from La Liga leaders Barcelona with Premier League outfit Everton seen as a potential destination.
It is a testament to the strength of Barcelona’s squad that Arda Turan has barely got a game for the La Liga leaders since joining from Atletico Madrid. It is worth remembering, after all, that the Turkish winger was one of the first names on Diego Simeone’s Atletico team-sheet and played a major role as they lifted the league title in 2013/14.
But even despite the loss of Neymar to PSG in the summer, Turan has found himself out of the first-team picture under Barca boss Ernesto Valverde. In fact, he has not made a single competitive appearance all season.
You can forgive Turan’s agent, then, for trying to find a new home for his client in January.
El Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Ahmet Bulut is trying to whip up offers from Serie A or the Premier League, with big-spending Everton one of the teams he hopes will take an interest in the 30-year-old.
Despite reports that Turan is earning wages of around £6 million a year, and would command a transfer fee of £18 million despite his lack of game time this season, Everton should not think twice about bringing him to England.
The Toffees need a winger after all and there are few better on the market than Turan. It is easy to forget how good he is as his Barcelona omission continues, but it must be pointed out that he posted an impressive tally of 13 goals in 30 games last season – from a wide role, too.
It would be churlish to suggest he would not represent an immediate improvement on the likes of Kevin Mirallas, while also allowing Gylfi Sigurdsson to move into his favoured number ten position.
Everton boss Sam Allardyce admits his side need more creativity and thrust in the final third. Signing Turan would not be a bad way to solve the problem.
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