Swift Handling of Arda Turan's Exit Important for Atletico Madrid's Summer

"We run too much here," ran Marca's headline in Madrid, accompanied by an image of a weary-looking Arda Turan in the foreground and a typically animated Diego Simeone barking instructions behind him.

"Cholo's physical game, the motive for his likely departure," the capital-based daily added, before clarifying that Turan hadn't actually used the phrase captured in the title. Nevertheless, the message from Marca was clear, with AS also running the story on the same day: Turan wants out at Atletico Madrid. 

According to both outlets, the midfielder believes it's time to move on from the Vicente Calderon, citing a desire to leave behind Atleti's grinding, attritional method for a more flowing outfit that can better harness his creative talents. Additionally, the lucrative financial opportunities available elsewhere have become too hard to ignore. 

Per AS:

"

He's keen to seek a new challenge and a new adventure elsewhere, a dream he's had since he was a boy, but he also admitted Simeone's style of play is wearing him out. Under the Argentine coach he's had to adapt to a more demanding style of play, one that he feels is undermining his technical contribution.

...

Atletico for their part were also open and honest with the player: they want him to stay, they feel he has a lot to offer the team, but if he wants to leave they won't stand in his way.

"

For Atletico Madrid, the news is a blow and has come unexpectedly.

Since moving to the Spanish capital from Galatasaray in 2011, the 28-year-old has been among the club's most influential players in a glorious four-year stretch for Los Colchoneros. As the club's finest technician, Turan has been the creative hub of a largely direct and forceful outfit, adding a dash of ingenuity and guile to Atleti's renowned steel. 

In 2014-15, the Turk formed a sublime right-sided partnership with full-back Juanfran, and his deft touches, passing vision and dribbling ability were critical in maintaining a large extent of Atletico's attacking prowess following the departures of Diego Costa, David Villa and Adrian last summer. In fact, among the club's players, Turan was only behind Koke in key passes (chances created) last season, per WhoScored.com, and the Turk's numbers don't benefit from set pieces in the way the Spaniard's figures do. 

Yet, there's more to Turan than just his creative genius. As explained here at Bleacher Report in February, the midfielder has been symbolic of Atleti's identity under Simeone:

"

The Turk, along with team-mate Raul Garcia, is the on-field embodiment of Simeone's mentality. If you want to know who Atletico are, just watch Turan for five minutes. He and his game alone will tell you everything you need to know.

His brilliance on the ball is matched by his intensity. His technical quality is complemented by his desire. His creative vision is enhanced by his appetite for the battle.

He's Atletico in a nutshell.

"

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

As such, Atletico are preparing to wave goodbye to something of a club icon and fan favourite—not just an outstanding footballer. It's not what Atleti would have wanted, but it's a situation that needs to be dealt with quickly. Turan's exit needs to be swift. 

According to AS, the midfielder's release clause stands at €41 million, and the Madrid-based daily has reported that both Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are interested in Turan. Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT) has also linked the Atleti star with Manchester United. 

For a player who will be 29 midway through the 2015-16 season, €41 million is a steep figure, and Marca suggests Atletico could be willing to accept a lesser fee. But bids in the €25-35 million bracket are realistic for an elite, ready-made attacking midfielder, particularly given that two of the clubs linked with Turan have extremely deep pockets.

For Atletico, a club still in the second or third tier of European football financially, securing a figure of that size is valuable. But it's how quickly it's secured that's vital.

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

Having already spent €55 million on the acquisitions of Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto, Simeone and Co. will need the money from the sale of Turan to fund another high-profile move—the club is unlikely to have the resources to fund a major transfer before selling the Turk.

Thus, swiftly agreeing to a deal for the midfielder would allow Atleti to enter the market quickly, maximising the club's number of options and the time available to search for, and negotiate with, potential replacements in the ultra-competitive summer window. 

Additionally, Atletico's hunt for replacements will have a knock-on effect throughout the squad.  

In the attacking midfield position, Los Colchoneros have both Oliver Torres or Angel Correa—a pair of 20-year-olds in the early stages of their careers. Correa spent an impressive 2014-15 season on loan at Porto and is ready to sink his teeth into senior football having spent the recent campaign on the sidelines following heart surgery.

If Atleti were to sign a ready-made replacement for Turan, both players would be unlikely to see regular playing time at the Vicente Calderon next season, making loan stints for the pair logical. But if the Turk's exit drags on, pushing back the club's ability to sign a successor into the latter stages of the transfer window, Torres and Correa won't be able to have their futures decided upon quickly.

Instead, they'd likely be retained until cover for Turan arrives, potentially compromising the opportunity to find preferable loan destinations for the talented midfielders in the window's final weeks.

This indicates that time is of the essence for Atletico Madrid.