With time passing by, Atlético still had no news of an offer from Barcelona for Arda as of yesterday. The player himself had to take to social media to give an update on his situation rather cryptically. It is understood that after reports emerged in the Catalan media regarding an agreement with Barça, the player said on Twitter: “Much is being said about me, but the information published is not correct.”
In addition, Cadena SER also reported yesterday that the interim Barcelona management board has postponed any negotiations until after the presidential elections on July 18. That contradicts what Atlético told Arda and his agent in their last meeting. They agreed for the situation to be resolved before July 8 should a good offer come in for him (he has a €41 million release clause). Yesterday the player still preferred a move to the Premier League. In this regard he has an agreement with Manchester United, who have offered him a contract out of Atlético’s reach. But Arda is still waiting on something concrete from Chelsea, his preferred option. It seems that a possible move to PSG is on the wane. Yesterday, the Turkish player believed he could be with a new club by July 8.
Arda knew that Barcelona would ask to extend the deadline, something Atlético told him not to contemplate, especially considering he would not be able to play for six months. Galatasaray have also denied to this newspaper that they could sign him before he makes a possible move to Barcelona in January.
The Turkish international has thanks Atleti in a video
Almost with a farewell tone, Arda posted a video on his Facebook page in which he seems to say goodbye to the Atlético fans. In it, a group of Atleti fans chant his name, a song that has become a classic at the Calderón over the past four seasons. Arda published the video and accompanied it with a “Thank You”. Social networks were abuzz with more than 1,000 comments and 25,000 views. The player and the fans have a special bond that will be missed by both when he leaves.