Arsenal receive transfer boost as Barcelona reduce asking price to £19m for attacking midfield target Arda Turan
Arsenal have received a transfer boost in their pursuit of Arda Turan after Marca revealed that Barcelona will sell the attacking midfielder.
Per the source, Turan is among the favourites to leave Barcelona and the club would accept an offer of £19 million [€22 million].
Former Barca manager Luis Enrique rejected a £45.5 million [€50m] offer from China in January but the club are willing to accept bids well under half that fee.
Arsenal have been closely linked with Turan over recent months but it was reported that they would have to pay in the region of £25 [Times] to £26 million [El Desmarque].
Turan’s agent Ahmet Bulut does however, continue to deny his client will be leaving Barcelona this summer.
The 30-year-old does have another three-years remaining on his contract but reports coming out of Spain contradict Bulut’s comments.
See More: 3 reasons Barcelona star Arda Turan would be a success at Arsenal
“Arda is not going anywhere. Barcelona’s directors are happy with him,” Bulut is quoted as saying by Spanish outlet AS.
“We haven’t spoken to any club about a transfer. The stories that have come out in the media that he will be leaving have annoyed Arda.
“And nor has it gone down well with board members at the club – Arda Turan will see out his contract.
“He will stay at Barca until 2020.”
Turan did struggle for playing time at the end of the season and was dropped for the last five games in all competitions despite being fit.
AS also claim that Barcelona president Josef Maria Bartomeu has given the green light to sell the star midfielder.
Turan finished the season with 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
The experienced attacking midfielder is currently on international duty with the Turkish national team.
