Reds lead chase for £13m Turkish star

According to exciting young Turkish winger Arda Turan’s agent Ahmet Bulut, the player is both wanted and wants to join Arsenal next summer.

The player was widely expected to leave Galatasaray last summer with the club finishing a highly disappointing 5th in the Turkish league, 10 points behind champions Besiktas. However, it would seem this will now be Arda's last season with the club before moving abroad and despite the Gunners interest, according to the Turkish press it's Liverpool that are the club likeliest to make a firm bid once they've sold the likes of Andrea Dossena and Andrei Voronin.
 
Bulut said, "At this moment in time I have no contact with any clubs. I had a lot of interest in the summer for him, but the club did not want to sell him.
 
"He is now the new captain of Galatasaray, so I don't think he will be sold in January. However, I do think he will be sold in July.
 
"In the summertime Arsenal made contact regarding him, but the club did not want to sell. 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.
 
"Arsenal are interested, and if they want him, Arda's first choice is Arsenal."
 
An added bonus for potential suitors of Arda is the player's versatility as he can play on either flank or even in a more central role. It's no surprise that Liverpool are so strongly linked to the golden boy of Turkish football as Rafa Benitez has been looking to add some much needed flair to his strong outfit. 
 
The 22-year-old Galatasaray midfielder enjoyed an excellent season individually last season even though the team ultimately struggled after scoring 7 goals in 29 league appearances (27 starts). In the 2007/08 season he also weighed in with 7 goals in 30 league appearances (29 starts) which led to interest from England, Spain and Italy. As new captain of the side, Arda has scored 4 goals in 12 league appearances this season as the club sit 2nd in the league, 2 points behind leaders Fenerbahce.
 
Since breaking into the first team he has scored an impressive 23 goals from 98 (90 starts) league appearances and has become a mainstay of the team that won the 2007/08 Turkish title. His match-winning performances in Turkey's superb Euro 2008 displays also intensified the growing interest in the exciting winger as well as increased his price tag.
 
The player is expected to cost around £13m which may not be too much of a gamble for Liverpool if he can realise his amazing potential in England. Galatasaray reported on their website that their captain had recently contracted Swine-flu. The announcement read, "Our player Arda had a running nose, fever and felt weak. And the tests carried out on him showed he has contracted swine flu."
 
"Treatment was intensified after tests came back positive. In light of this, Arda will continue receiving treatment until Monday and will remain away from the team."
 
Arda has won 35 caps for his country (4 goals) despite his tender age after progressing from the U19 and U21 sides. The youngster is both quick and two footed and has been likened to former Galatasaray legend Gheorghe Hagi in his home country so should give you an idea of how highly he is rated. If Arda was to join Arsene Wenger's team then the amount of creative attacking talent at the Frenchman's disposal will be incredible. Arda fits Wenger's usual requirements of youth, creativity and technical ability but we will have to wait and see if the Gunners firm up their interest as Liverpool are reportedly set to do to secure the golden boy of Turkish football.
 
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.