Barcelona winger Arda Turan was closely linked with a move to Chelsea before signing for the La Liga champions but his agent Ahmet Bulut denies ever being in talks with the Blues.
Ahmet Bulut was quoted by the Express as saying: “We didn’t talk with Chelsea, Barcelona was the first option.
“We got an agreement because of Luis Enrique’s insistence.”
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Bulut also claimed that he had never been in negotiations with Barcelona but Turan ended up signing for the Champions League winners on a five year deal yesterday.
“I have not spoke with anyone from Barcelona these newspaper stories are just rumours,” Bulut told NTV Spor.
“I am not going to say where Arda is going right now it is not the right time I would love to say but in three to four days the club will let you know anyway.”
Turan’s agent also stated that his client wanted a Premier League move and that he was in talks with three clubs from England.
“He intends to leave Spain this summer. It is his will to go out to play in the Premiership, that is where he would like to continue his career at this time,” Bulut told AS.
“His departure from Atletico is not easy because he has a clause of €41m. There are ongoing talks with three teams at the moment. I cannot say their names, but they are the best of England and European football.”
Manchester United were also reported to be in negotiations over Turan but the other two clubs remain a mystery.
Turan’s move cost Barcelona a €34 million initial fee however, there could yet be another twist in the transfer saga as the La Liga champions have the option to sell the bearded winger back to Atletico by July 20 – following the presidential elections.
The newly elected board could in theory veto the transfer which would result in the transfer collapsing.
