Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to strengthen his attacking options this summer and the Gunners have now submitted a formal bid for Barcelona attacker Arda Turan, according to the Express.
The Turkish international was one of the best attackers in the Europe in his days at Atletico Madrid but his career has stalled since he joined Barcelona in a £34m deal last summer.
Turan had to wait until January to make his first appearance for the Catalans due to their transfer ban, but even when the ban was completed he found it difficult to get regular playing time in the starting eleven, as he just made 9 starts all together.
In the light of that, Turan is now considering leaving the Nou Camp in search for regular playing time, and latest reports over the weekend claimed that the Gunners have joined the race of sign the highly-rated attacker.
The North London club have now stepped-up their interest in the workaholic attacker as the reports from Spanish publication Don Balon has it that Arsenal have now submitted a formal offer to the La Liga giant although any specific amount was not made mentioned.
According to reports in Goal, Barcelona could be willing to sell the attacker for €27m (£23m), though Galatasaray have offered the most at €20m (£17m) thus far.
The La Liga winner manager Luis Enrique is willing to let the Turkish ace leave and if the Gunners could offer him as much as £18m-£19m then it’s highly likely that the Spanish club will be willing to let him leave.
Turan was superb when he was at Atletico and when fit he can play anywhere in the attacking midfield which will give Wenger plenty of option up front. It will be fantastic business for Arsenal if we can bring him to the Emirates and get him back near his formal form.
If Turan ends up joining Arsenal then it could be curtains for Theo Walcott’s spell with the North London club, as he has been strongly linked with a move away due to lack of regular playing time at the Emirates.
The Englishman had a frustrating season last year as he failed to make any considerable impact even when afforded the chance, which led to fans calling for the axe. However, Wenger has been supportive throughout, so it remains to be seen whether he will give up on him yet in favour of Turan.
