Manchester United Transfer News: Arda Turan Interest Revealed, Top Rumours

Arda Turan's agent Ahmet Bulut has confirmed Manchester United bid for the Turkey captain before he completed his move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona. 

Bulut told AMK (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News via TurkishFootball.com) the Red Devils had communicated to Atleti they wanted to buy the player, but Turan's representatives were secretly brokering a deal with Barca: "Last season Manchester United made a bid for Arda but Atletico Madrid did not want him to leave. I was in talks with Barcelona but told nobody about it at the time."

Turan decided to move to the Camp Nou ahead of Old Trafford, opting to spend six months on the sideline as the Blaugrana saw out a player registration ban, as highlighted by BBC Sport.

STR/Getty Images

The midfielder will be allowed to begin his career with the treble winners in January, but he would have been an excellent addition to the United squad. 

Turan was central to manager Diego Simone's capture of the Liga championship in 2013-14, and his robust playing style would have suited the Premier League.

United failed to add an experienced head to the attack, despite selling Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez, and releasing loanee Radamel Falcao—and the Old Trafford faithful will be disappointed to hear the north-west giants failed to purchase Turan.

Here is a video showing Turan's finest moments in a Rojiblancos' shirt:

The 28-year-old featured 42 times for Atletico in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League last season, according to WhoScored.com, and he clearly preferred an extended stay in Spain rather than swap for a colder climate.

Coach Louis van Gaal did strengthen the core of his midfield last summer with the additions of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, but Turan would have given United a technical and enthusiastic option on the front foot. 

James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images

In other news, United will compete with Liverpool and Chelsea for the signature of Bojan Krkic from Stoke City.

The 25-year-old attacker has been in exceptional form since joining from Barcelona and is experiencing a career renaissance with the Potters. 

Martin Lipton of the Sun said the Camp Nou youth product is wanted by the three Premier League clubs, as well as Gary Neville's Valencia. Lipton claims Stoke "will be looking for a significant fee if they have to sell," with the attacker rated at around the £15 million mark.

MANU FERNANDEZ/Associated Press

Stoke took a risk when they purchased Bojan for £800,000, per Lipton, but it has spectacularly paid off as the player has shown why he was so highly rated by the Blaugrana. 

The Guardian's Amy Lawrence asked how has a player of Bojan's class found his way to one of England's less fashionable clubs:

The Spain international's days as a top-class player appeared to be over before they had even begun, but he has relaunched his career to great effect in England.

Bojan would fit any of his suitors, and he has the talent and will to further improve in the Premier League. 

United have been desperately short of creativity, especially in the No. 10 role that Wayne Rooney has struggled to fill this year, and Bojan would be a cost-effective addition in the attack.

Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay need a creator to set them free from deep, and Bojan has the passing capabilities that Rooney cannot provide on a consistent basis.