Arsenal closer to Arda Turan deal as Barcelona tell him he can leave with Aleix Vidal and Thomas Vermaelen

  • Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal and Thomas Vermaelen have no future at Barcelona
  • The news will boost Arsenal's hopes of bringing Turan to London in January
  • Barcelona are trying to reduce their wage bill to sign Philippe Coutinho
  • Vermaelen is said to want first-team football before next summer's World Cup

Arsenal's hopes of signing Arda Turan have been boosted after the Turkish midfielder, Aleix Vidal and Thomas Vermaelen were told they have no future at Barcelona and will be available for transfer in January, according to Sport.

Barcelona are planning a winter clear out to reduce a crippling wage bill that will hamper their chances of landing Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

The news of Turan's availability is set to put Arsenal on high alert with the midfielder a long-term target of Arsene Wenger, with the Gunners still interested as recently as last month.

Arda Turan (centre) is one of three players Barcelona are trying to sell

Arda Turan (centre) is one of three players Barcelona are trying to sell

The news will boost Arsenal's hopes that they can bring the Turkish midfielder to London

The news will boost Arsenal's hopes that they can bring the Turkish midfielder to London

Aleix Vidal is also considered surplus to requirements under Ernesto Valverde

Aleix Vidal is also considered surplus to requirements under Ernesto Valverde

Thomas Vermaelen has struggled with injuries since moving to Barcelona in 2014

Thomas Vermaelen has struggled with injuries since moving to Barcelona in 2014

There has also been interest from China and Galatasaray but Turan, who cost €34m in 2015, is not interested in leaving and with a deal running to 2020 cannot be easily forced out.


The midfielder has struggled for regular first-team football at the Nou Camp since his move from Atletico Madrid and is yet to make an appearance this season.

Vidal arrived at the same time as Turan and has only been slightly more successful with the summer signing of Nelson Semedo from Benfica making him surplus to requirements.

Vermaelen, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries since his move to Spain in 2014 and spent last season out on loan at Roma.

The former Arsenal defender needs game time if he is to represent Belgium at next summer's World Cup and reports suggest Barcelona would be open to a loan move if a club is willing to pay his salary.

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