According to reports in the Turkish press, Rafa Benitez rejected the recent bid from Birmingham for Ryan Babel as trying to finalise a deal with Turkish giants Galatasaray for a swap deal plus cash for their captain and star man Arda Turan. The player was widely expected to leave Galatasaray last summer with the club finishing a highly disappointing 5th in the Turkish league, 10 points behind champions Besiktas. However, it would seem that Arda may have played his last game for the club as Benitez is tries to push through a deal today in an attempt to claw back a Champions League place by the end of the current campaign.
An added bonus for Liverpool is the player’s versatility as he can play on either flank or even in a more central role. It’s no surprise that Liverpool are so interested with the golden boy of Turkish football as Rafa Benitez has been looking to add some much needed flair to his strong outfit for some time. Alberto Aquilani and Maxi Rodriguez may have joined but Arda is far more of a dribbler with the capability to beat defenders on a consistent basis rather than merely a good passer. Liverpool are attempting to push through this late deal but with two players involved they may struggle to finalise this move in time.
The 23-year-old Galatasaray midfielder enjoyed an excellent campaign individually last season even though the team ultimately struggled after scoring 7 goals in 29 league appearances (27 starts). In the 2007/08 season he also weighed in with 7 goals in 30 league appearances (29 starts) which led to interest from England, Spain and Italy. As new captain of the side, Arda has scored 4 goals in 17 league appearances this season as the club sit 2nd in the league, 1 point behind leaders Fenerbahce. Arda is a team-mate of former Liverpool star Harry Kewell and reports suggest the Australian has given a glowing report about life at Anfield.
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Since breaking into the first team he has scored an impressive 23 goals from 103 (91 starts) league appearances and has become a mainstay of the team that won the 2007/08 Turkish title. His match-winning performances in Turkey’s superb Euro 2008 displays also intensified the growing interest in the exciting winger as well as increased his price tag.
The player is expected to cost around £13m which may not be too much of a gamble for Liverpool if he can realise his amazing potential in England. Rafa Benitez is reported to have offered £3m and Ryan Babel for the Turkish star which would be good business with the sales of Andrei Voronin and Andrea Dossena comfortably covering that outlay.
Arda has won 35 caps for his country (4 goals) despite his tender age after progressing from the U19 and U21 sides. The winger is both quick and two footed and has been likened to former Galatasaray legend Gheorghe Hagi in his home country, so should give you an idea of how highly he is rated. If Arda was to join Rafa Benitez’ team then the amount of creative attacking talent at the Spaniard’s disposal would be hugely increased following the arrival of Maxi Rodriguez last month. Arda fits the bill in terms of creativity and technical ability but we will have to wait and see if Liverpool can indeed secure the golden boy of Turkish football.
So would you like to see this exciting young talent in the Premier League or do you feel he could flatter to deceive in the hurly burly pace of the English top flight? Let’s hear your views.
He is a safer bet at around £10 million if thats the price thats being thrown around.
After all we’ve spent £10 million on kuyt,11.5 on babel. (Both players been played out of position mind you) arda best not be played in defense
PLEASE PLEASE BE TRUE AND ACTUALLY HAPPEN!! Sorry for shouting!!
Only an hour to go in the window, no way the deal will go through. is rafa even talking with galatasary?
not a chance. maybe in the summer, but i dont think he will even go then unless the price is good enough for GS. he really is a stunning player, i think he should have a higher price.
there is no way arda will join liverpool. a player of his calibre would never make a decision on the last day
mujo, Arda is a big Livepool-fan, and he has earlier this season expressed a wish to join them, so if Liverpool want him in exchange for Babel, I think Arda would go at once…
Is he this talented consistently? putting together amazing clips is fine, but playing with these magic for atleast 40 minutes a game is different altogether. So my question is has anyone seen him play this good atleast for 70% of the time?????????
YNWA:
Yes he is a really great player. If you watch games with him you will notice that it is almost impossible to steal the ball from him…like Messi in that sense. He might not score that many goals but his passing is magnificent and they result in goals very often.
so far arda has 30 games 20 assist and 10 goals so what does that tell you? im a gala supporter and i always watch him liverpool would be stupid to not buy him.
i saw arda all games for 4 years he is great player in 90 minutes he can play cam
, lm and also rm and he can also plays left winger back he is vey talented player if rafa make him alittle bit faster he can be like messi and i dont think 10 million enough for him he is complitely team player
he is a great player but won’t be available for 15 million euros. Last year Galatasaray didn’t sell him to that price. I’m a fan of Gs and i know that he will cost more. He is the captain, an all rounder, a genius when passing through the defenders and a genius assister also, young finally the most important one he is brave not like the other international Turkish player. He can play for all giant teams of the world without fear. We want him to play for a team bigger than Gs not because we want him to leave the team but for his own good sake. He prefers Liverpool so that s a big chance for you.
Yes his talent is very consistent. Im just saying, I know its a video game, but in Fifa 10 his Consistensy is rated 99!! And his weak foot is also rated 99! He is a great player that can play on both sides and center, easily pass players, and a creative mind for passing. He does score in crucial times and does MANY assists. Its always a pleasure watching him becuase you know he will amaze. If Liverpool are smart, they have to get this kid. Im saying atleast 20m, Babel + 3m is nothing! We dont even want Babel. In the next 2-3 years he will probally be around 60m and we would be ripped off, like always.
bos bos does not stop these players play, but midfielder striker devans gs m from my machine than I pReRoGaTiVe vertaal eufa successive league league league cempions Campion takima a gourmet four goals must repeatedly atmisti gs