Barcelona manager Luis Enrique convinced Arda Turan to dismiss offers from England and join the La Liga champions.
“I made it clear before I went on holiday which players I wanted, and the two players — Turan and Vidal — that we considered important have arrived,” Enrique was quoted as saying on ESPN.
Enrique also stated that contrary to recent reports Turan will not be an unnecessary luxury in the team. The Barcelona boss underlined that the Turkish international will be a key player in his side.
“I wanted both to arrive here as soon as possible. I am delighted and I take the opportunity to congratulate Barca’s interim management for signing Turan, a key player for us and whom we have a lot of confidence in.
“The ideal scenario that I wanted is the one we have.”
Turan was expected to join Premier League giants Chelsea or Manchester United following his agent Ahmet Bulut claiming that the bearded winger wanted a move to England.
Bulut also revealed at the time that he was in talks with three Premier League clubs.
“He intends to leave Spain this summer. It is his will to go out to play in the Premiership, that is where he would like to continue his career at this time,” Bulut told AS.
“His departure from Atletico is not easy because he has a clause of €41m. There are ongoing talks with three teams at the moment. I cannot say their names, but they are the best of England and European football.”
Turan ended up staying in Spain and joining Barcelona on a £24 million move from Atletico Madrid at the start of the month.
The 28-year-old winger has signed a five-year deal with the Champions League title holders but will not be able to play until January due to Barcelona’s transfer ban.
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