Over the last five years, Liverpool have repeatedly tried to sign Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan, who is a self-confessed admirer of the club. The latest attempt reportedly came during the January transfer window, and with the summer transfer window just around the corner, the Turkey international has once again revealed his love for LFC.
When asked last week if he is Liverpool fan, Turan told Four-Four-Two magazine:
"I've always played for teams in red [Galatasaray, Manisaspor, Turkey] and I've always admired Steven Gerrard. So yes, I have a soft spot for Liverpool, especially given their history and the atmosphere at Anfield".
Turan's transfer history with LFC:
* Apr 2009: Rafa Benitez made a €10m move for Turan, a self-confessed Liverpool fan, but the tricky winger ended up moving to Atletico Madrid.
* Dec 2009: Turan made it clear that he favours a move to Liverpool: told reporters: "I most want to play at Liverpool because of the culture of the club and the fans"
* Mar 2010: Turan reiterated his Anfield preference: "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 Liverpool".
* Oct 2012: Nuri Sahin posted a picture on his Twitter account of Turan in a Liverpool shirt.
* Oct 2012: Liverpool sent an 'observer' to watch Turan in Turkey's World Cup qualifier with Romania.
* Dec 2012: Turan's Agent, Ahmed Bulut, told Turkish television channel TRT: "Arda wants to play for another club, to live a different experience. We are working now to make it happen. Atletico know what our intention is. If all goes well, Arda will leave the Madrid club at the end of this season."
* Mar 2013: Reports in Spain claim that the Reds are lining up a €20m summer bid for the Turkish star.
* Aug 2013: ESPN claimed both Liverpool and Arsenal are 'interested' in signing Turan during the summer transfer window.
* Aug 2013: Turan's agent confirmed that English clubs are on the prowl. He told NTV Sport: "A transfer of Arda to the Premier League this summer is likely. England is where most of the interest in him lies and there have been discussions."
* Jan 2014: The Liverpool Echo reported: "Brendan Rodgers [is] pondering a move for Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan. Liverpool [could] make a play for the former Galatasaray star before the end of the January"
In a recent press conference, Reporters quizzed Madrid Coach Diego Simeone on Turan's future, and the Argentinean boss gave the following emphatic reply:
"Arda isn’t going, definitely. He has a contract with the club, he’s ours, he’s an extremely important player for the squad and he demonstrates it when he has to".
Turan to Liverpool is a nice idea, but I doubt it will happen, for the following reasons:
* Atletico are top of the league right now, and are in with a great chance of breaking the Barca/Real Madrid monopoly this season. Why would Turan want to leave that?
* Turan's recent injury history is a concern; in the last 18 months, he's suffered three separate incidents, and the last thing Liverpool need right now is to buy more injury-prone players.
* Turan has a €40m buyout clause in his new contract, and if Atletico win La Liga, his transfer fee will probably be prohibitive.
If Liverpool are to make a concrete move, then it should be this summer. At the age of 27 years, Turan is in his prime, and if Atletico win La Liga, he may feel that he's achieved everything he can at the club. After all, the chances of Atletico winning the league again next season are incredibly slim. Additionally, if - as is expected - Diego Costa leaves the club, Turan may feel that the time is right for him to move on too.
Imagine a Costa/Turan double-deal for LFC in the summer...
Author: Jaimie K
When asked last week if he is Liverpool fan, Turan told Four-Four-Two magazine:
"I've always played for teams in red [Galatasaray, Manisaspor, Turkey] and I've always admired Steven Gerrard. So yes, I have a soft spot for Liverpool, especially given their history and the atmosphere at Anfield".
Turan's transfer history with LFC:
* Apr 2009: Rafa Benitez made a €10m move for Turan, a self-confessed Liverpool fan, but the tricky winger ended up moving to Atletico Madrid.
* Dec 2009: Turan made it clear that he favours a move to Liverpool: told reporters: "I most want to play at Liverpool because of the culture of the club and the fans"
* Mar 2010: Turan reiterated his Anfield preference: "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 Liverpool".
* Oct 2012: Nuri Sahin posted a picture on his Twitter account of Turan in a Liverpool shirt.
* Oct 2012: Liverpool sent an 'observer' to watch Turan in Turkey's World Cup qualifier with Romania.
* Dec 2012: Turan's Agent, Ahmed Bulut, told Turkish television channel TRT: "Arda wants to play for another club, to live a different experience. We are working now to make it happen. Atletico know what our intention is. If all goes well, Arda will leave the Madrid club at the end of this season."
* Mar 2013: Reports in Spain claim that the Reds are lining up a €20m summer bid for the Turkish star.
* Aug 2013: ESPN claimed both Liverpool and Arsenal are 'interested' in signing Turan during the summer transfer window.
* Aug 2013: Turan's agent confirmed that English clubs are on the prowl. He told NTV Sport: "A transfer of Arda to the Premier League this summer is likely. England is where most of the interest in him lies and there have been discussions."
* Jan 2014: The Liverpool Echo reported: "Brendan Rodgers [is] pondering a move for Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan. Liverpool [could] make a play for the former Galatasaray star before the end of the January"
In a recent press conference, Reporters quizzed Madrid Coach Diego Simeone on Turan's future, and the Argentinean boss gave the following emphatic reply:
"Arda isn’t going, definitely. He has a contract with the club, he’s ours, he’s an extremely important player for the squad and he demonstrates it when he has to".
Turan to Liverpool is a nice idea, but I doubt it will happen, for the following reasons:
* Atletico are top of the league right now, and are in with a great chance of breaking the Barca/Real Madrid monopoly this season. Why would Turan want to leave that?
* Turan's recent injury history is a concern; in the last 18 months, he's suffered three separate incidents, and the last thing Liverpool need right now is to buy more injury-prone players.
* Turan has a €40m buyout clause in his new contract, and if Atletico win La Liga, his transfer fee will probably be prohibitive.
If Liverpool are to make a concrete move, then it should be this summer. At the age of 27 years, Turan is in his prime, and if Atletico win La Liga, he may feel that he's achieved everything he can at the club. After all, the chances of Atletico winning the league again next season are incredibly slim. Additionally, if - as is expected - Diego Costa leaves the club, Turan may feel that the time is right for him to move on too.
Imagine a Costa/Turan double-deal for LFC in the summer...
Author: Jaimie K
I'm not sure what the need for another winger is at this point. Sterling and Coutinho are doing a great job on either side and there are plenty of prospects (Ibe for one) to fill in the gaps.I think eschewing the Man City model and going for organic growth (with the addition of necessary pieces) is the way to go. Would rather see us hit the kitty for some cover at CM and RB/LB.
ReplyDeletevery good player. but i just doubt he will make the desired impact at Liverpool. in other words i dont think hes a LFC player. if he is to play AM or No 10 for LFC he will have to score and supply goals consistently or else it wouldnt be worth it. for £40M we can buy Yarmolenko and Firmino and let them join the BR revolution. they are the perfect players to work under Rodgers and he can help them reach their world class ability.
ReplyDelete------------------------Mingolet
---Johnson-----Skrtel-----Agger------Flanno
------------------------Gerrard
-----Yarmolenko------------------Sterling
------------------------Firmino
-------------Suarez----------Sturridge
agree with everything except I firmly believe ateletico are able to replicate Dortmund success in Spain (double league titles) as I don't see cosa leaving atleti if they become champions for at least another season
ReplyDeleteSilly money signings won't happen.
ReplyDeleteSeems like city are making us proud!
ReplyDeleteAwesome result for LFC. Bit worried about playing Crystal Palace though - they're in amazing form at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYeah definitely they achieved some result at our city tonight
ReplyDeleteBeating Chelsea will give us the breathing space. Until then any of the top 3 can win. City has a chance if Chelsea beat Liverpool. Hopefully we can clinch the title by the time we face Newcastle. Come on Chelsea lose to Sunderland this weekend. A worry free expression of celebration on that final day at Anfield, that's all I wish for.
ReplyDeleteI think we missed our chance some time ago. Not until he is over his prime when the cost comes down and we can take a chance on final 2 years +/-. Maybe late in his career.
ReplyDeletetotally agree i even think norwich who played well last week could be a banana skin hope its just nerves
ReplyDeleteby the way that bolasie loks a player
ReplyDeleteand the Argentinian keeper is playing amazing lately
ReplyDeleteWith our goal difference against Chelsea we've got a draw in the bank. The worry I have is that we draw against Palace and Chelsea and beat Norwich, which wouldn't be a bad set of results, but would leave us level with Chelsea on 82 points; City win their next 4 to get to 83, and we go into the last game of the season a point adrift. But the most likely scenario is still for us to win 3 and draw 1 to take the title.
ReplyDeleteWe can afford a draw against Chelsea. Much better for us than them. Other games are must win, beat Chelsea and that means we can get a draw out of the remaining games. Still hoping Everton can do us a favor against City as they are even more in need of points now.
ReplyDeleteWhat worries me the most is that Chelsea have done the double over Liverpool 3 times in PL (04-05, 05-06 and 09-10); the only 3 times they won the title. Mourinho is Brendan's mentor/teacher he wouldn't want anything but a victory.
ReplyDeleteSorry to go off topic but after tonights Manchester City v Sunderland draw I calculate that providing the Reds win the three of the remaining fixtures and draw with Chelsea the title will come home to Anfield.
ReplyDeleteSurprised none of the pundits on radio pointed that out tonight.
You say that but he played away to United and played for a draw. They were a little bit cheeky in how they got away with three points at their gaf and they will not get away with such fouls at ours.
ReplyDeleteI have the same nerves as you but if this was a poker hand I would be feeling confident that I had more to hit on the river than they do.
I honestly think Konoplyanka is better than Yarmolenko
ReplyDeleteDraw with Chelsea and win the others and the Reds are Champions!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sunderland.
What happened in the past is irrelevant. This Liverpool team is entirely different to 8-10 years ago. And we were s*** in 09-10.
ReplyDeleteInstead of all of the mentioned names I rather we take 20m n offer it bayern for shaqiri
ReplyDeleteI will be waiting on Hislop and Alejandro Moreno, when I watch press pass tonight, to still tip City for the title. They are letting self pride and stubbornness cloud their perspective...
ReplyDeleteClearly with the targeting if konoplyanka and salah, Brendan wants someone else who can play wide left and turan IMO wipes the floor with both the other two (hence the difference in price) Top top player who I think will be open to leaving this summer as, after the season they've had, I imagine atletico will be dismantled at the end of the season for the simple fact they can't compete on the wages front. His injury record is my only concern
ReplyDeleteTotally agree
ReplyDeleteIf we beat Chelsea we can afford to drop points at palace
ReplyDeleteWhat about Cuadrado?
ReplyDeleteI also admire Gerrard's style, I think LFC should sign me too lol.
ReplyDeleteCheers to Sunderland! Please do the same against Chelski this Saturday! Then you will be my second favourite team in the EPL after LFC!
ReplyDeleteYup, Crystal Palace is a fearsome opponent at the moment. They are hosting Mansour City before our match. Hopefully they can snatch points in that match to kill off all effective title challenge from Mansour City. But, I'm equally worried about the match against Norwich City. It is a must-win match for us. Imagine the psychological boost that we can get if we win. It's a very important buildup to the title-deciding match against Chelski. We must slaughter Chelski right at the pitch of Anfield! No other way to go, absolutely!
I'm cautiously excited because of our present position in the league table. Still, the remaining 4 matches are insanely important because any slip-ups anywhere will undo all good in this crazy season.
I'm most worried about Chelsea. They can come up with an ultra defensive plan and somehow snatch a win. It's frustrating that Demba Ba has not featured all season and now suddenly he's doing the business, it's the same for Salah who hasn't had many games. I think a draw will be enough for us.
ReplyDeleteI also think Norwich are going down this year, our firepower should be able to knock off Norwich, Palace and Newcastle. With Henderson and possibly Sturridge out, team selection will be interesting.
At this present point of time, I think we should not be too concern about who is coming in this summer. I'm very sure if we win the league title this year, there will be Gylfi Sigurdsson, HM and Willian no more.
ReplyDeletePlease win the league title for us crazily title-thirsty fans, LFC!
YNWA!!!
I'd be interested to know why we never went for him. For whatever reason he wasn't a target for us and as you say he was quite affordable. There was a good deal of talk about him but if we didn't even make a bid then you have to wonder why. Rodgers talks a lot about qualities beyond just pure ability so it's a deeper question that just he has x/y goals/assists.
ReplyDeleteIt's obviously not a loss for us because look at where we are. You can guess that we would have done better but there are no guarantees. Who's to say what influence he would have had, good or bad. There is no arguing with results and our league position is testimony to the squad that we've got while Spurs have suffered despite all their spending. Could he be a player for us in the future ... I guess so and he's shown he can do it in England so maybe, but I can't really see Spurs letting him go. Plus whatever made us hesitate before is unknown and maybe there is still some attribute this player has that puts Rodgers off and is an issue.
I still think you do Aspas a disservice. He filled his role as cover for Suarez and we had good results with him in the team. At the end of the day this is still a team game and it's the team result that matters. Our results speak for themselves and Aspas was a part of that when required. Our 3 win start to the season was vital to how well we've done and Aspas was a feature in the team during the pre-season and those early games. His continuity in the side would have been very important in helping us deal with the Suarez issue and Sturridge's lack of fitness. Ultimately we ended up using better players and that's great, but when those players are not available I'd like to have someone like Aspas around to fill that role again.
Contributed off the pitch? As in, they tell good jokes in the dressing room? Football is about what happens on the pitch, not off it.
ReplyDeleteWho contributed to the win against CIteh? Sakho? If anything he nearly cost it by his clumsy defending. The man is always late for the tackle and always late to block. And 80% of the time he is out of position.
ReplyDeleteNot Arda Turan again. Stick with Kono. The only Atletico Madrid player we should be signing is Diego Costa.
ReplyDeleteI'd wager that's who he means anyway
ReplyDeleteDon't worry. We'll outscore them. It will be tight though. Heskey the defender is bound to let one or two slip by him.
ReplyDeleteThe point I am trying to make is that by changing the dynamics of the team our results would be different (I'm not saying they would be worse results or better but different) because Rodgers would have had different players to choose from and no one knows who he would have chosen and therefore this could have impacted our results (again maybe for the better or maybe not). At the end of the day our current team including the likes of Aspas and Co. have gotten us to the top of the table with 4 games to go and that is why I am glad we have got the squad we have got. I believe it is called the butterfly effect, if you go back in time and alter anything (we bought Eriksen) it would alter the path into present time and we could be sitting 7th again. Don't get me wrong I believe Eriksen would be a good addition to the club but the way things stand I am happy how things have turned out.
ReplyDeleteWell some of those cover players better step up now. Allen is a definite choice, and with Sturridge unlikely to feature there is a big opportunity for Aspas, let's see if Rodgers has faith in him or if he just throws Lucas on instead.
ReplyDeleteWith Suarez still playing I'm not sure Aspas would be the right choice, but we'll have to see what happens. I would guess we'll revert to 4-3-3 with Lucas, Gerrard, Allen in midfield and Sterling, Coutinho flanking Suarez up front. Player for player that's probably the best team we can put on the pitch. But if Lucas isn't quite up to the pace then Aspas could play just in front of Suarez and we have a similar diamond to what we used against City. You're right in that this is the absolute right time to use someone like Aspas if he's truly good enough and has any confidence from the manager. If we don't see him at all and Sturridge is out with injury then I'll probably have to agree that Rodgers doesn't think Aspas can do it. As important as this game is, it's still Norwich and if Aspas isn't good enough to play a few minutes there then he's not good enough to play at all.
ReplyDeleteAnd given Sterling's performance in the second half of this season, Eriksen doesn't really fit anywhere at all. He's potentially a minor upgrade from Coutinho so, like you say, not really required. I'd say if we're going to buy a number 10 then it would be someone in the next bracket up, real superstar material, and maybe Rodgers isn't convinced that Eriksen is that kind of player.
ReplyDelete