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Arsenal Make £26 Million Bid For Barcelona Star

Arsenal Make £26 Million Bid For Barcelona Star

Arsene Wenger looking for an Alexis Sanchez replacement?

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

In a move that may signify that Arsene Wenger is planning for life after Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal have reportedly made a bid for Barcelona's Arda Turan.

Marca are reporting that the Turkish international has been the subject of a £26 million bid from the Gunners, who looks likely to leave the Camp Nou, this summer.

Turan, who has three years left on his current deal with the Catalan giants, is also being targeted by Inter Milan, with his representatives being briefed to listen to any offers that come in for him.


Arda Turan
Arda Turan

Turan has become frustrated with his lack of first team opportunities at the Camp Nou and is determined to leave, this summer. Image: PA

The former Atletico Madrid winger struggled for game time under Luis Enrique, last season, making just 18 appearances in La Liga and 30 in all competitions. The Turkish wideman did at least make the most of his limited time on the pitch, though, scoring 13 goals in his 30 run outs.

Of course, any Gunners pursuit of Turan could be complicated by Barcelona's desire to bring Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin back to Catalonia.

The Blaugrana have prioritised the 22-year-old Spain international as one of their top transfer targets ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, with Bellerin reportedly keen to return to the city where he was born.


Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin

Bellerin is one of Barcelona's top summer targets. Image: PA

Should Arsenal press ahead with their attempts to sign Turan, Barca officials may try and negotiate the former Turkey captain into a potential deal for Bellerin, which is a situation Arsene Wenger would likely wish to avoid, with Alexis Sanchez and possibly even Mesut Ozil edging towards the exit door at the Emirates stadium.

Sanchez and Ozil are yet to commit their futures to the North London club, with both of their current deals expiring next summer.

Sanchez has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City, while Ozil is allegedly on Bayern Munich's radar.


Sanchez
Sanchez

Arsenal's bid for Turan may suggest that the club believe Alexis Sanchez is set to leave. Image: PA

Wenger targeting Turan could indicate that the Frenchman believes any attempt to keep Sanchez at the club is a lost cause and he's now seeking out an adequate replacement.

Thirty-year-old Turan is believed to be open to a move to North London, even if the Gunners cannot offer him Champions League football, next season, following their fifth place finish in the Premier League.

(H/T Marca)

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: FC Barcelona, Arda Turan, Football, Arsenal