Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Arda Turan and Marc Bartra Rumours

Barcelona are under increasing pressure to seal the transfer of Atletico Madrid's Arda Turan in a timely manner, while Marc Bartra has revealed his motivation to remain at Barcelona and fight for his future at the club.

Turan is expected to leave the Vicente Calderon this summer and Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta spoke to reporters this week to say the Turkey international would be welcome at the Camp Nou, per Jordi Gil and Toni Juanmarti of Spanish newspaper Sport:

"He is a fantastic player, with flair and spectacular quality. If he finally comes, he will be welcomed, as would another teammate. He will continue to improve and everything that facilitates that is evidently important."

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Barca are faced with a tough situation, however, as the 2015 transfer embargo prevents the club from registering players until January 1, 2016.

However, Barcelona presidential candidate Josep Maria Bartomeu—who stepped down from the position in the run-up to his re-election bid—has told Cadena SER (h/t ESPN FC) manager Luis Enrique wants the winger this summer:

"Luis Enrique has asked for him. The priorities for the coach were Aleix Vidal and Arda. The board needs to sign a player like him—they have to. They must sign Arda and incorporate him as soon as possible so that he can start the preseason."

Sanctioning a move for Vidal proved smooth as the emerging Spain international sought a move to the bigger stage, but convincing Turan to potentially miss five months of football may be a harder task.

His exit from Atletico looks assured, too, after Turan took to his official Instagram account this weekend to confirm he was heading for a meeting with agent Ahmet Bulut:

Barca's transfer ban clearly didn't have a great impact on their fortunes in 2015 as the club raked in a European treble, but the club may now be finding out the setbacks that come with it.

Turan's fate looks set to be decided in the days and weeks to come, with Barcelona boss Enrique eager to ensure it's his side that wins the race for his services.

Bartra Ready For Long-Haul Fight At Barca

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A lack of first-team playing time last season made Barca centre-back Bartra consider his future at the Camp Nou, but he's now ready to fight for his place entering the new campaign.

Speaking with Sport's Jordi Gil at his football academy, Bartra confessed that he thought about leaving the club and is under no illusions regarding his need to improve if he's to feature in the big games to come:

"

The end of the season was hard, because at first I had more regular football and at the end I didn't play as much, but I was thinking calmly about leaving Barça who had always treated me so well. The offers that arrived make me doubt myself, but with a coach like Luis Enrique you know that everything can change in a year and I am going to give everything.

Every player wants to play in the big games, I know that it isn't easy at Barça. If you work here, it is an endless race. I have enjoyed myself a lot with the team and there is still much to be won.

"

Speaking to Radio Marca last month (via ESPN FC), Bartra confirmed that his release clause had dropped to just €12 million this summer after making only 14 La Liga appearances during the 2014-15 campaign.

Despite his lack of involvement, though, Bartra has proven to be a useful asset to Enrique:

"

In last 10 seasons, Bartra is only centre back to give more than 2 assists for Barcelona in single season (4 in 2014/15) [via @barca19stats]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) June 30, 2015"

Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano will remain the 24-year-old's biggest competition for the upcoming season, while Thomas Vermaelen is himself hoping to etch out a future at Barca.

Having played in Catalonia for some 13 years now, Bartra has adapted to life with one of the biggest clubs in world football, but only time will tell if he's able to rise to that challenge.

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Last season's frustrations may well continue under Enrique in the 2015-16 campaign, but it's up to Bartra to see to it that he becomes a more senior member of the Blaugrana back line.

With his contract not set to expire for another two years, the defender has time on his hands in the search for prominence, but the question stands as to whether Bartra will be willing to wait.