Turkish international Arda Turan has once again stated in recent weeks his desire to one day play for Liverpool:
“Of course I want to play abroad but it is our board’s decision. 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. My dream has always been to play for one of the top European clubs, but you shouldn’t make concrete plans in your life because sometimes these plans cannot be achieved. This is my dream, but for now I’m just working on my football.”
Before we start speculating over a possible move for the player in the summer, just who is he? Arda plays his football in the Turkish league for Galatasaray. He progressed through the Turkish giant’s youth ranks before being loaned out to Manisapor for the 2005/06 season to gain first team experience. After a successful spell he returned the following season to compete for a starting place in Galatasaray’s midfield. Despite only being of a diminutive stature at 5ft 9, Arda is known for his speed, ball control and mazy runs from the left wing. His performances in late 2006, assisting Galatasaray in the Champions League group stages, persuaded then manager Eric Gerets to make him a regular starter in the first team on the left side of midfield. Arda had already made his debut for his country back in August 2006 against Luxembourg, the final stage of a development which saw the young winger play at every level for Turkey, and since his breakthrough into both teams, he has not looked back since for either club or country.
After cementing his place in the team, he helped Galatasaray to the Turkish League title in 2008 and played in the majority of Turkey’s Euro 2008 qualification campaign. His combination of assists and goals make him a player to be reckoned with and he demonstrated both his creative qualities and his knack for scoring crucial goals at the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland. During Turkey’s remarkable run to the semi-finals in the tournament, Arda played a crucial role in their progression. He scored a vital 92nd minute winner against Switzerland in the second group match, knocking the co-hosts out of the tournament, and in the third group game, he scored the first goal in a dramatic reversal which saw Turkey come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with just 15 minutes left against the Czexh Republic. He also scored a penalty in Turkey’s penalty shoot out victory against Croatia in the quarter finals but couldn’t prevent the side losing to Germany in the Semis.
The left winger was named the Turkish player of the year for his efforts for both club and country, a trophy he would retain the following season. Arda is still only 23 years of age and he already has 34 caps for his country with 5 goals to his name, including 2 in Turkey’s failed attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. He also continues to impress in the league for Galatasaray, with his team second in the table, Arda has already contributed 10 goals and 20 assists in 31 matches this season, one goal behind his total for last season. A winger who can run, cross and shoot looks to be an exciting prospect for Liverpool fans but he will no doubt cost a lot of money if Rafa Benitez was interested in him.
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A good player yes but we need a few not just one saviour!
We also need a top quality LB and a 2nd striker good enough to both assist Torres with the goal tally and put more than a few in himself when the main man is off form/injured. Jovanovic will likely be good but I’m concerned he won’t be prolific enough in the prem.
Finish 4th (somehow), get that Rhone Grp investment (or another) & at least grab a runners up Europa spot if not win it and then we can bring in the standard of player we all want – top drawer.
hi ya david, happty friday to you, i agree, i have heard that a deal is done, now if this is true than its great news, as you kno my big brother works out in spain, he has heard that valencia wanted him as a replacement for silva or mata, mata is more likely to stay, but silva if villa goes is a gone man, turan is about the best type of player on the market bar silva.
he has heard it on good knowledge that he has a deal in place for 5 years for around 72 k aweek,now in todays game good deal . we agree !
I like this player. He is a Liverpool fan. Why not get him instead of David Silva. Liverpool will need him rather than Babel. Agree? Only for him to save Liverpool, come on, you must be crazy. Football is a team work. SO, get him not need to wait now.
I am a galatasaray fan and I watch Arda live every week. He plays just few meters away from me and I gotta say he is incredible. I have no idea why Liverpool hasn’t made any offer for him? Gala president declared that “he is going to be on the pitch as a Galatasaray captain in our new stadium” Next year he will be 24. He is not getting any younger. He should go now, or stay. And I gurantee that he is a score changer. You really should watch his videos on youtube. Why am I telling this? Cause I know him personally and he has a big passion for liverpool since his childhood. And he has a great characteristic. I hope I will make the move to Reds. He would be hero over there. And Torres and Arda will be the greatest double.
Also I have heard some news about that Reds has some financial problems. I don’t know if its true but Galatasaray officialy declared that they wont sell Arda less than 17 million euros.
I can see a massive clear out in the summer, unlike any we have seen at liverpool for a long time. Babel, Benyoun, Riera (if not sooner) Aurelio, even the likes of Skrtel arent safe. we know that Milan Jovanovi? has signed a pre contract to join us in the summer, to bolster our attacking options, i hear Rafa is trying to tie up a young dane defender.
I took this next bit from http://www.football-rumours.co.uk, this next bit doesnt represent what i think… but i wouldnt mind it happening 🙂
Keep reading on here about Joe Cole to Arsenal – Not going to happen – Arsenal have a very strict salary structure and Mr Cole is already on a reported £80k per week (which is well in excess of the highest paid Arsenal player), and looking for more – So expect the likes of Man Utd/City, Liverpool and a few Spanish teams to be the front runners (who will oay the wages). My money is on Liverpool (providing Rafa stays as, apparently he is a huge fan) or, whichever club, ‘the chosen one ends up at’.
Now some real news – Liverpools so called financial problems are not as bad as anyone makes out – Yes, they owe money, but the Yanks have personally guaranteed that the loan interest will be covered and, although this has been done via ‘Kop Holdings’, the liability still stays solely with the two directors so, if they default on a payment, it is their ‘personal’ assets they will need to liquidate, not that of the club.
That is why they are in no great rush to sell and, if LFC miss the Champions League spot, no sale will be made, as the value of the club will reduce. There may well be investment, but this will be for the ground only.
However, £20m will be available plus funds from sales – Leaving will be: Gerrard (Real Madrid – £10m plus Higuin (great bit of business I think)), Babel – £10m – Ajax / Bayer Munich) and Lucas – £12m – Spain (well rated in spain!!).
Coming in – Higuin (p/ex) – Silva – £18m plus a central defender (unknown)
I have seen Arda play many times and i feel he is the perfect man for liverpool. He has desire Passion and is keen to improve. However i could see him struggling to adapt with the Physicality of English football in the early stages much like aquaman at the moment. Arda is seen as a “Golden boy” of Turkish football aswell so i could see sales for merchandise Boosting in Turkey as previously seen with emre for newcaslte even if it be only £2,000,000 i am sure it would be much welcomed by the liverpool faithfull. Referring to the last comment by COOP_LFC regarding selling Gerrard? C’mon do you honestly think selling Him is gona be a step in the right direction for the club?? some how i think not. I recon we sell Reira 6/7mill, Lucas 9/10mill and aurelio 5/6mill and Degen 4/5mill Thats about £27mill just from selling players that are considerd “Dead Wood” Arda i herd is around £9mill Kjaer is £10/15 and he is a quality CB. Leaving £7mill Plus money from the transfer fund and Shirt Deals which can be put towards a Quality Striker and Left back.
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