Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan has claimed thatthe club turned down a substantial £45m transfer offer for the Turkish international before he had even kicked a ball for the Catalans.
Speaking to Beyaz TV, viaThe Sun, Turan revealed that interest in him from Asia was huge, and that an unnamed club had attempted to bring him in from Barca just after he had moved to the club from domestic rivals Atletico Madrid.
The offer is said to have come last January, just before he was set to make his debut for the Spanish champions.
Turan was unable to make his debut for Barcelona directly after signing for them because of a transfer year-long transferembargo imposed on the club by FIFA, and had to wait six months as a result to be legally registered as a Barcelona player.
The Turkish star stated that he saw that rejection as an indicator of the club's belief in him, and went on to label himself as a "long-term project".
He said:Last season a club from China offered £45m to Barcelona for me, but they rejected it because I'm a long-term project. Barcelona didn't sign me just for six months.�
The likes of Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira and Ramires have all moved to China for big money in the past, with formerZenit star Hulk having joined them in themore recent months. The league is extremely cash rich and the flock of stars to the Chinese Super League is only set to continue.
Arsenal and Chelsea were also previously interested in Turan, though after an initially difficult start to life at the club, his performances have since picked up. Turan has helpedhimself to five goals and four assists this season.
Arda Turan reveals Spanish giants rejected £45million from China for his services this summer https://t.co/4Fm9MyPBfV pic.twitter.com/ASxgeihhVY
Join the conversation and follow @_scottsaunders on Twitter!