Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur – I Have No Preference for Where Nuri Sahin Goes Explains Jose Mourinho

Wednesday, 22nd August, 2012

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes that a loan spell at an English Premier League side will be beneficial for midfielder Nuri Sahin, but does not mind whether that happens at Arsenal, Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

Even though the Portuguese manager accepted that the 23-year-old is close to moving away from the Bernabeu this summer in search of playing time, he would not be drawn on his destination, only pointing to the suitability of landing in England.

“The Premier League is a good place for players to pick up certain characteristics which he does not have”, said Mourinho in a press conference while talking about Sahin’s much speculated loan move to England.

The former Chelsea manager also rejected the notion that he had any preference for where the Turkey international ends up and insisted that it is up to the player to decide where he wants to go.

“It is all the same to me, though, which club he goes to," added Mourinho.

"I just hope that it happens soon for him, as it is the best for him.

"Liverpool, Arsenal or Spurs – I have no preference.”

The 23-year-old Turkish midfielder joined Real Madrid last summer from Borussia Dortmund, but injury issues and fierce competition for places prevented him from playing regularly at the Bernabeu.

After moving down the pecking order and being asked to play at left-back in pre-season, a loan move now appears to be imminent for the youngster.

However, there has been much speculation about where the player might be heading, with Liverpool and Arsenal both showing great interest, while Sahin was also mooted as a makeweight in Los Blancos’ bid for Spurs’ Luka Modric earlier this summer.

Despite certain similarities, Sahin’s situation is very different from team-mate Kaka’s according to Mourinho, however, as the club have received offers for the Turk but not for the Brazilian. 

“Kaka’s situation is completely different," the former Inter Milan coach stressed.

"We have no official request for Kaka; we do for Nuri.”