Friday, 17th June, 2011
Chelsea are still on course to appoint Guus Hiddink as their new coach, and the Dutchman could bring something extra special with him from Turkey.
According to France Football, Hiddink has been key in persuading Blues owner Roman Abramovich to move for Galatasaray winger Arda Turan.
Turan shot to prominence at Euro 2008, with a series of superb performances as Turkey proved to be the surprise package of the tournament. The Turkish schemer was widely expected to move on that same summer, but Galatasaray stood firm and Turan has remained in Istanbul ever since.
However, a poor season from Galaltasaray in 2010/11, which saw the side flirt with relegation at one stage before mounting a recovery of sorts, is thought to have convinced the 24-year-old that to win the biggest prizes in the game he must now leave his childhood club.
And Hiddink has been impressed with Galatasaray’s No. 10 as Turkey coach, so much so that the Dutchman believes Turan could flourish in the Premier League.
Galatasaray will not release their star on the cheap though, and Chelsea will be expected to pay a minimum of €20M for a player under contract at the Turk Telekom Arena until 2013.
Meanwhile, Chelsea appear to have turned their back on a possible swoop for Santos striker Neymar, believing the youngster too expensive at €45M. Increasingly there is a sense that Hiddink is driving transfer policy at Stamford Bridge.
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