. Chelsea FC striker Diego Costa has said he would relish a reunion with his former Atletico Madrid team mate Arda Turan.
The Atletico Madrid star has already confirmed he plans to quit Atletico Madrid this summer and FC Barcelona have emerged as heavy favorites for his signature with Chelsea FC as well as Manchester United reported to be interested in the player.
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claimed earlier that Manchester United were ready to match Turana s release clause of around a 41 million, and were ahead in the race for his signature with a four-year contract being prepared. The Turkish internationala s agent Ahmet Bulut, however, has since denied reports that the player was set to sign for Manchester United.
The next twist in the saga came about Englanda s Mail Online claimed that Arda Turan has chosen Chelsea FC as his next destination, with the opportunity to work with Jos Mourinho cited as a major factor.
That particular transfer tale saw another twist, however, with Barcelona-based newspaper Sport claiming that the Catalan giants have agreed a deal worth a 35m plus add-ons for the Turkish international, with another Catalan media outlet a Cataluyna radio a also claiming that Turan is set to become FC Barcelonaa s second signing of the summer.
In an interview to Turkish newspaper Bugun, Diego Costa said that he would like Arda Turanto join him at Chelsea FC after playing alongside him at the Vincente Calderon from 2011 until 2014.
“I would really like to be reunited with him,” Costa said. “It would be fantastic because he is a player that makes my job easier. Arda, Flilpe Luis and I achieved great success together and he really is a great guy.”
Chelsea FC, however, face a massive challenge to sign the Turkey winger, with FC Barcelona heavy favorites for the player with outgoing president Bartomeu confirming the club wants Turan.
Arda Turan himself has further fuelled speculation that he could join the European and Spanish champions after admitting that his footballing idol plays for FC Barcelona.
“My idols? Emre Belozoglu, when he played at Galatasaray, but now it’s Iniesta. He’s from my era, but that doesn’t matter. I have a lot of admiration for him.”
The versatile attacking midfielder also admitted he likes watching the club on TV – but not Real Madrid.
“When I don’t have important things to do, and Barca are playing, I watch them on TV. Real Madrid – no! And I love Atletico, but I can’t watch them as I’m playing.”
Well, while Diego Costa might want Turan to chose Chelsea FC over Manchester United and FC Barcelona, it does seem that transfer saga is finally coming to an end with the player with FC Barcelona to win the race for the Atletico Madrid man.