While Barcelona scrap around attempting to find a replacement for Neymar, the Catalan club could be set to lose another first team player, with Arda Turan looking to secure a move away from the Camp Nou.
Turan signed for Barca in 2015, sitting out the first six months of his career in Catalonia due to the Blaugrana's UEFA imposed transfer embargo. In the 18 months since his debut, however, the former Turkey captain has been unable to establish himself as a first team regular, making just 18 La Liga appearances last season.
With the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and potentially Philippe Coutinho ahead of Turan in the pecking order at the Camp Nou, Turan is now seeking a return to Atletico Madrid, who he originally left to join Barca, two years ago.
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Turan arrived in Catalonia two years ago, but now looks destined for a return to Atletico Madrid. Image: PA
A return to Atleti would mean Turan would, for the second time in his career, sit out half a season due to his new club being under a UEFA transfer embargo, with Los Rojiblancos serving a ban until 2018.
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It was believed in some quarters that Neymar's departure to Paris Saint-Germain could open up more opportunities for Turan at Barca, but new manager Ernesto Valverde opted to use Denis Suarez and the recently re-signed Gerard Deulofeu during Monday night's Joan Gamper Trophy game against Chapecoense, in which Turan was one of only two outfield players not to be used, alongside Brazilian full-back Douglas.
Turan has made 55 appearances for Barca, scoring 15 goals. Images: PA
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The 30-year-old Turkish playmaker cost Barca €35 million, but it is unlikely the Blaugrana will receive anywhere close to that from Atleti in return. Barca's best hopes of recouping the majority of their original outlay come from Turan deciding instead on a move to the Chinese Super League, which he has been linked with recently.
However, according to Spanish daily Sport , Turan would prefer to return to the Spanish capital, where he can reunite with Diego Simeone, with whom he lifted the La Liga title and reached the Champions League final, in 2014.
(H/T Sport)
Topics: FC Barcelona, Arda Turan, Football, Atletico Madrid