Magpies swoop for Turan (From The Northern Echo)

Magpies swoop for Turan

3:03am Monday 19th May 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

NEWCASTLE UNITED plan a deal for Turkish sensation Arda Turan before next month's European Championships and Emre could be used as a makeweight in the transfer.

Sources in Istanbul claim there have been top level talks between Galatasaray and Newcastle, with an initial offer of around £8.5m made for the creative midfielder.

But with Euro 2008 due to start on June 7, Galatasaray are hoping to keep Turan on their books until after the tournament in the hope his value will rise.

Barcelona have asked to be kept informed of any developments for one of the hottest properties around Europe, while Villarreal, Sampdoria and Fiorentina are also in the running. Tuncay Sanli is also understood to have given him a glowing reference to Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate.

Galatasaray are looking to receive nearer to £15m for Turan, but manager Cevat Guler's long-standing interest in Emre could strengthen Newcastle's arm.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has always maintained that Emre is happy on Tyneside and that he was not looking to move him on.

But those close to Emre in Turkey suggest he would be receptive to the idea of rejoining the club he has supported since childhood.

"I keep seeing he's unsettled," said Keegan.

"A lot of people say he has been but I don't see an unsettled player here. I see a player who is obviously very keen to play in Euro 2008, which he will for Turkey. It will be good for Emre to get games."

Emre has not figured under Keegan since a substitute appearance in the 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa in February.

Emre would have to take a huge pay cut if he was to accept a move to his boyhood heroes, although there would be no such problem in Newcastle having to meet Turan's demands.

But Newcastle know the 21-year-old - whose father and agent, Adnan Turan, has reputedly already had talks over a £1.2m contract for his son - could become more sought after if a deal is not concluded before Euro 2008.

Having already missed out to Tottenham in the race for Croatian sensation Luka Modric, Keegan is keen to avoid a repeat in his attempts to inject some new life into his midfield. Dennis Wise, in charge of recruitment on Tyneside, recommended Turan to Keegan.

If Newcastle's move for Turan is successful, it is likely to lead to the departure of Damien Duff. The Irish winger has already accepted that his time at Newcastle is at an end and has put his house up for sale.