Turkish media believe that Arda Turan could be on his way to Chelsea this winter, but the Spanish Press say he is staying at Atletico Madrid, for now.
The Turkish international, who joined Atleti in summer 2011 for €12m has been progressively linked in recent months with a move away, with both a return to the Turkish top flight and a move to the English Premier League suggested.
Following on from his agent’s claims that the 25-year-old will be leaving the Spanish capital, reports in his homeland have it that he is a target for Chelsea, who under Rafa Benitez are understood to be prepared to even meet his €24m buyout clause this January/
However, whilst Atletico are described in the Spanish Press today as still unhappy with the player’s reported desire to leave for the guarantee of Champions League football, they are intent on keeping hold of him until at least the summer.
It is believed that once the team are assured of what European competition they will be in next season, they will evaluate Turan and a number of other players’ situations. Qualification for the Champions League is believed enough to trigger the club’s desire to strengthen the squad, rather than sell players.