The European and Spanish champions are in the midst of transfer ban, but that has not stopped Barcelona from signing players, even though they cannot play until January 1.
If that is not strange enough, the transfer of Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid is probably the strangest deal I have ever heard of.
Turan was linked with a possible move to the Premier League, but he turned down an offer from Chelsea and reported interest from Manchester United in order to join the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barca.
However, there is a strange clause in this agreement, as Barcelona is set to elect a new board of directors on July 18. The agreement with Atletico allows Turan to be sold back to the Madrid club by July 20, seemingly if the new directors feel he is unneeded at Camp Nou.
Below is part of a statement released by Barcelona:
FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Arda Turan. FC Barcelona reserve the right to re-sell the player to Atlético until 20 July.
With the intention of safeguarding the Club’s interests and respecting the final decision of the President elect and given the necessity of finalising the operation as soon as possible in order not to miss out on signing the player, FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Atlético Madrid for the signing of Arda Turan for the next five seasons for the figure of €34m with a possible €7m in variables.
The agreement includes the option of selling the player to Atlético Madrid for the fixed fee less 10% option costs. This option could be exercised by FC Barcelona up until midnight of 20 July if the next Board of Directors should wish so.”
Manager Luis Enrique is said to have pushed for the Turan signing, so would a new president go against the man who just led Barcelona to a treble?
As first glance Turan is a great signing for Barcelona as he has established himself as one of the hardest working midfielders in the world. But recently Turan was quoted in Marca saying:
“He wants to leave among other reasons because he has given everything while wearing the Rojiblanco, but also has paid for the physical wear and tear that marks Cholo’s system. In that sense he would prefer a system that liberates him from defensive duties, or so he says.”
If Turan things he is going to a club where can will run less, then he is going to be bitterly disappointed. I don’t think any team in the world runs more than Barca does, especially the midfielders!
