Chelsea and Arsenal in race to sign Arda Turan

Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to sign £23million-rated Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan, according to reports in the Spanish media.

The midfielder’s future has been subject of heavy speculation in recent weeks after failing to make his mark in his first season at the Nou Camp.

The Turkey international joined the Catalan giants last summer from Atletico Madrid for £34m but was unable to make his debut for his new side until January 2016 due to a transfer embargo on the club.

Despite winning the La Liga title in his first season with Barcelona, Turan found it difficult to cement a spot in the starting line-up, featuring just nine times in the league and scoring twice.

Several top European clubs have been rumoured to be interested in the attacking midfielder, including Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.

The latest club to enquire about Arda’s services is Chelsea, who tried hard to sign the 29-year-old last summer when he was still an Atletico Madrid player but they were unsuccessful in their pursuit.

According to Spanish newspaper AS , Arsenal and Chelsea are one of a few top clubs interested in signing Turan who is valued at round £23m by Barcelona.

Barcelona’s technical secretary Robert Fernandez has made it clear that the Catalan club will be busy during this transfer window.

The club already have signed French defender Samuel Umtiti from Lyon and there could be more arrivals in the coming days as well, along with players heading out of the Nou camp.