Turkishfootball.com: Turan on Liverpool radar

Atletico Madrid star Arda Turan has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool following comments made by agent Ahmet Bulut claiming the Turkish international midfielder will be leaving Atleti at the end of the season.

Bulut told Turkish state broadcasting service TRT, "Arda has played at Atletico Madrid for two seasons now. I have wanted to see him play for another team in another league and Arda wants the same.

"We are working on making this happen, Atletico know what our intention is and are working with us. If all goes well, Arda will leave the Madrid club at the end of this season."

The Turkish agent also went onto state that Arda will be joining one of five-six unmentioned clubs.

Bulut said, "I can't say the league or you'll know exactly who I'm talking about but let's just put it like this, there are only five to six clubs which could afford Arda right now and he's going to join one of these five clubs."

The Premiership and Russia are the only league with five to six clubs capable of matching Arda's €24 million minimum fee release clause. However, if you factor in that the Atleti star has openly stated he wants to play in the Premier League and that Anzhi recently denied interest in Arda his most likely destination outside of Spain is England.

Arda has expressed his fondness of Liverpool in the past and was closely linked with a move to the Reds before his transfer to the Rojiblanco's.

Prior to joining Atleti, Arda was quoted on UEFA.com as saying, "As I always mention, Liverpool attracts me because of their tradition.

"In Europe, I am a Liverpool supporter, so if I go to play in Europe, I would like to play for them."

The comments were made at a time when Liverpool played regular Champions League football, how Arda would feel about a potential move in today's climate is unknown.

Liverpool are a club in transition and with Brendan Rodgers bringing his tiki-taka inspired footballing philosophy to Anfield, a player whose well rehearsed in the Spanish way of doing things could fit in well.

The Reds are lacking in quality wingers and with Steven Gerrard nearing the end of his playing days Liverpool will need reinforcing in the attacking midfield position. Arda is capable of playing on the left, right or as an attacking midfield playmaker and is the type and caliber of player the Reds will be looking for.

Liverpool have been establishing close ties with Turkey recently through a number of partnerships, deals and have signed three Turkish players most notably Nuri Sahin on-loan from Real Madrid.

The Sahin transfer saga between Liverpool and Arsenal was one of the transfer battles of the summer and if rumours from the French and Turkish media are to be believed the Gunners could be joining the Reds again in the race to sign Arda.

Arda has been linked with Arsenal on and off for years now, most of the speculation has however, been created by his agent. Bulut's recent comments as well as reports from French site Mercanto365.com and speculation in the Turkish suggest that Arsene Wenger is interested in Arda.

Prior to Arda's Spanish move, Bulut said, "There are a few clubs interested, Liverpool are one, and Arsenal. There are no official or concrete offers at the moment but two clubs have spoken about wages.

"He is interested in working under Arsene Wenger because he is very good at working with young players, and Arda wants to work in England."

The Turkish international playmaker has had his name associated with a move to the North London club a number of times, especially following the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Arda is the type of player who would fit well into the Arsenal system, a technically gifted talent, capable of playing the passing game and would offer a spark of creativity.

Traditionally Arsene Wenger has a reputation of not spending big sums on players, however, with Wenger's future at Arsenal in question and the board revealing that the club will be in a strong financial position to spend on transfer's Arda is the type of player who would fit the Arsenal mould.

Arda was signed by the Rojiblancos in 2011 for €12 million making him the most expensive transfer to leave the Turkish Super League. The Turkish international has become an integral part of Diego Simeone's Atleti side who are currently second in La Liga.

Arda was part of the Europa League and Super Cup winning Atleti side in 2011-12. The Atleti playmaker has four goals and six assists in seven games for the La Liga outfit this season.

Source: Turkish-football.com