Arda Turan, who has failed to become a regular starter for Barcelona, may sign with Monaco in the winter transfer window, with Arsenal's Mesut Özil likely to take his place on the Catalan side, according to Spanish media
With the winter transfer window approaching, transfer rumors surrounding Arda Turan and Mesut Özil have once again made headlines. According to the Spanish media, Turan's latest suitor was French powerhouse Monaco, who has had a terrible season so far both locally and in the UEFA European Champions League. The French outfit wants to sign Arda Turan on loan with an option of buying. The Turkish playmaker is said to be hell-bent on returning to his boyhood club Galatasaray. But Barcelona and Galatasaray are yet to reach a consensus, with the Turkish side preferring a loan deal.
If talks with Galatasaray fall through, Turan may be left with options like Liverpool, Arsenal or Monaco. But, in that case, Barcelona, who signed Turan from Atletico Madrid for 34 million euros, will not make any money. In an effort to offload him, the Catalan club has told Turan that it can terminate his contract with his consent.
Though the footballer is eager to play, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde has told him that he was not part of his plans. Hence, it should not come as a surprise if he moves to another club in the January transfer window. Turan made his professional debut for Galatasaray in 2004 and played for the Lions for seven years until joining Atletico Madrid in 2011. He has scored 15 goals in 55 appearances for Barca but failed to cement a first-team position. He made only 14 league starts last season.
Barcelona, on the other hand, is considering a January move for Arsenal's German star of Turkish origin, Mesut Özil, as an alternative to Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo. Interest in Özil has been lacking but Barcelona is starting to wonder whether he would be a better option than Liverpool's Coutinho, who they actively pursued with a nine-figure transfer bid last summer. There are several advantages to bringing Özil to the club in January. For one, due to Arsenal's participation in the Europa League, Özil would be eligible to take part in Barcelona's Champions League campaign after Christmas while Coutinho is already cup-tied in the competition. Secondly, Özil has already proved he can thrive in Spanish football and put in some of the best performances of his career with Real Madrid. However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out selling Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window "unless something unbelievable happens." When asked whether he thought the pair would remain at the club long term, Wenger said: "I am not the only one to decide that. They have to decide that as well."