Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Arda Turan has now completed his move to Barcelona after having signed a five-year-contract at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona agreed to pay Atletico Madrid 41€ million for the Turkish national team captain last week , with the stipulation that the transfer be nullified with a penalty of 10% should club president Josep Maria Bartomeu be deposed in next week’s elections, and his successor decide that he does not want Turan at the club.
What matters however is that trainer Luis Enrique wants the 28-year-old there and sees him as a natural successor to former midfield general Xavi.
When Turan was asked about how it would feel when he had to face Atletico next season the Turk said: “There’s no pressure, I’m just a football player, and I’m just here to help Barca achieve more success, anything else is not for me to worry about.”
Arda also dismissed talk of him being the new Xavi.
“First of all, nobody can replace Xavi because he is a great,” the Turk added. “He was an icon for Barcelona and Spain.
“I’m a different type of player. I’m not Xavi. But I’ll try to contribute with my own attributes and style.”
Turan cannot play for Barcelona until after the clubs transfer ban is lifted on January 1st 2016, so until then Turan will train with his new club and get used to life living in Barcelona.
