Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Arda Turan 'ready' to play for Barcelona but 'not optimistic' - agent

Arda Turan's agent says his client is "physically and mentally ready" to play now, should Barcelona win their legal battle to register the midfielder immediately.

Turkey playmaker Arda and Spain right-sided player Aleix Vidal both joined Barca last summer, and have been training with their teammates while being unable to play due to the FIFA-imposed transfer ban which runs until January.

With midfielder Rafinha set for six months out after a knee operation, Barca are reportedly considering going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in order to try and register the former Atletico Madrid player for La Liga games at least.

Ahmet Bulut told radio show Esports Cope that Arda would be able to step right into the team, having played for his country in their recent Euro 2016 qualifiers against Latvia and Netherlands -- when he set up a goal in each game and scored against the Dutch.

"[Arda] is physically and mentally ready to compete now," Bulut said. "He played two games with Turkey. He will need a bit of time, to get match-fitness, but of course he is ready to compete."

However, Turan was not getting his hopes up about receiving a chance to play until the new year, Bulut admitted.

"[Arda] is happy with the chance to play before January, but he knows it is not at all easy to get permission from FIFA," he said. "We are not optimistic. I hope it happens, but we are realistic. He has already got used to the idea that he will not play until January."

Generally speaking the 28-year-old is enjoying his time with the Catalan club having been made feel welcome by his new teammates and coach Luis Enrique, Bulut said.

"It is good now, although at the start it was difficult for Arda to accept he could not play for five months," he said. "Fortunately he has found himself very comfortable in the dressing-room, with his teammates and coach. He is very happy at Barca -- the best club in the world, so we hope FIFA make a call this week."

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