Barcelona Transfer News: Arda Turan, Blaugrana Plans Discussed, Latest Rumours

Barcelona remain keen on signing a forward this summer, although it’s been stated the influx of new faces will not spell the end of Arda Turan's Camp Nou career. 

Speaking at the unveiling of new signing Andre Gomes, vice-president Jordi Mestre and technical secretary Robert Fernandez both gave updates on the club’s transfer business.

The former explained that once a new striker was through the door, that’d spell the end of the summer acquisitions, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

Despite landing Gomes, Denis Suarez, Lucas Digne and Samuel Umtiti, there have been no significant outgoings at the club as of yet. With the former pair set to play in attacking-midfield roles, chances for Turan look as though they’ll be scarce.

However, Fernandez is adamant that despite a difficult first season in Catalonia, the Turkey international will rediscover his best next term:

Turan is facing a problem that plenty of players have when they join Barca. While during his time at Atletico Madrid he was a wonderful player and a star in Diego Simeone’s brilliant side, at the Camp Nou, he has some serious competition for places.

It’s why Barca may have found the process of signing a new forward difficult. Because while donning the Blaugrana jersey and winning titles would be enticing for any player, a spell on the substitutes' bench would not be. After all, what attacker would oust Luis Suarez, Neymar or Lionel Messi?

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As reported by Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport, Barca have been linked with Atletico’s Luciano Vietto and Sevilla poacher Kevin Gameiro, although both are said to be “slipping away.” Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez and Valencia’s Santi Mina are now reportedly on the agenda.

Indeed, Agence France-Presse’s Kieran Canning was surprised to see the Blaugrana go hard after Gomes when they need to address this area of the field:

Attacking-midfield options are bursting out of Luis Enrique’s squad, too. Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic are the two men who have been supporting the forward trio, although Sergi Roberto, Denis Suarez, Gomes and Turan will all be pushing for a spot in this area of the pitch.

For Turan, it doesn’t look good. When he was drafted in as a midfielder, he was expected to add an aggressive and technical edge to Barca going forward, having featured in various different positions for Atletico. But after sitting out the first half of the season due to the club’s transfer ban, he was used sporadically and was subsequently rusty when given a chance.

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When at full flight, Turan certainly has something to offer. Indeed, as noted by Spanish football journalist Rafael Hernandez, it doesn’t seem like Enrique has given up on the 29-year-old quite yet:

Given his age and appetite for the game, Turan will want to be playing regularly. If he finds top form again, he may well force himself into Enrique’s starting XI on a frequent basis, but it’ll be extremely difficult. So if a substantial offer was to come in for the player, you suspect both Barca and the man himself would be tempted to cut ties.

A new forward will be tasked with taking the load off the illustrious trio, who did look jaded late last season when the games mounted up. Finding an elite player willing to be a deputy will be a tricky task for Barcelona.