Diego Simeone is set to sanction the sale of Arda Turan to either Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea to fund a move for Santi Cazorla.
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Atletico Madrid are set to sell Turkish winger Arda Turan to the Premier League in an attempt to free up the funds to buy Santi Cazorla from Arsenal, according to reports from the Express today.
Turan was one of the stars of Atletico’s stunning season last season, in which Diego Simeone’s side won the La Liga title and came within seconds of clinching the Champions League for the first time in the club’s long history.
With Diego Costa already set to leave and the likes of Tiago, Filipe Luis and Miranda expected to follow the Chelsea-bound forward out of the club, it is likely to be all change at the Estadio Calderon this summer.
Turan, a 27 year-old Turkish international, did not initially emerge as one of those who Atletico would be selling – but it now appears as though they could be persuaded to part with the former Galatasaray man if it allowed them to raise the funds to sign Santi Cazorla from Arsenal.
Cazorla is well-liked in the Emirates Stadium and was recently key to the Gunners’ victory over Hull City in the FA Cup final, scoring a wonderful long-range free kick to haul his team back into the game when they trailed the Tigers 2-0 early on.
The report suggests that Arsenal would require a fee of around £18 million if they are to part with Cazorla, something that could be covered with spare to change if Atletico sell Turan, who has a £33m release clause in his contract.
Whilst Atletico would not be able to demand that fee for Turan, it would cost any of the Premier League trio not far off £30m to secure Turan, allowing Simeone to move for Cazorla and still have money to spare.
A player who is known for his immense work rate and ability to create numerous chances for others, Turan is a fine player who would be likely to prove to be a superb addition for either Chelsea, Liverpool or United.
Which of the Premier League trio would require the Turkish international is another question, with Chelsea and Liverpool in particular being well stocked for attacking wide options – although Brendan Rodgers appears to be searching for another winger to add to his squad at Anfield.
Manchester United, however, would seem to be a logical destination, with the likes of Nani and Luis Valencia having struggled to really perform to the standard that would be expected of a winger at Old Trafford in the last twelve months.
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