Sportsnewsireland: Liverpool plan £20m raid

Liverpool are being linked with a £20m summer transfer swoop for Athletico Madrid winger Arda Turan.

Brendan Rodgers will now be given the money he requires to strengthen his squad.

Last October, the club sent a scout to watch the player in a World Cup qualifier against Romania, and as recently as December the winger's agent told Turkish television: "Arda wants to play for another club, to live a different experience. We are working now to make it happen. Athletico know what our intention is. If all goes well, Arda will leave the Madrid club at the end of the season".

However, Madrid boss Diego Simeone seemed to have a different opinion and in a recent interview he was adamant that the player was staying in Spain: "Arda isn't going, definitely. He has a contract with the club, he is ours, he's an extremely important player for the club and he demonstrates it when he has to. Arda is one of the best players we have and that he gives his best in every game."

The player, himself, has previously made it clear he wants to join Liverpool, and when chased by Rafa Benitez in 2009 he said: "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."

Source: Sportsnewsireland.com