Arda Turan's agent says the Turkish midfielder's move away from Atletico Madrid will be completed by the weekend -- while denying a deal has already been agreed with Manchester United.
Turan's representative, Ahmed Bulut, revealed last week that the 28-year-old playmaker had decided to leave Atletico this summer -- saying that the preferred destination was the Premier League, and that conversations with three unnamed clubs were underway.
This has led to speculation that Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool could be to bring in the former Galatasaray player -- who has a €41 million release clause in an Atletico contract which still has two years left to run.
AS reports that Arda's most likely destination is Chelsea, with former Atletico left-back Filipe Luis potentially returning to the Estadio Vicente Calderon as part of the deal.
Talking to Turkish channel NTVSpor, in quotes picked up by AS, Bulut said that he could not confirm or deny the media reports, but the situation would be clarified within days.
"There are lots of things being published about the transfer, and not all that is being said is correct," he said.
"We want to clarify that, at this moment, there is a lot of pressure, but we do not want to make a formal declaration before he has signed. But yes, in the next four days, Arda will decide which club he plays for next season."
Asked if Atletico would insist that the purchasing club pay the full €41m clause for a player nearing 30 who has had persistent muscle injuries through recent seasons, Bulut suggested the Calderon outfit would play hardball over the fee.
"[Arda] is an important player," he said. "They will not let him leave easily, but that is a question I cannot respond to, it should be Atletico themselves who do that."
Bulut, who has close links with Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes, said Atletico had been surprised by Arda's decision to leave, but had accepted his wish.
"Our decision to leave Atletico Madrid surprised them [Atletico] a lot," he said. "They did not want Arda to leave, and were persistent, but in the end respected our decision. But of course, nothing is 100 percent done, until it is signed. Nevertheless we have communicated the message that we want to leave Atletico."
Bulut also reportedly rang Turkish Channel 360 to refute claims made that Turan had already signed for United and passed a medical.
"Arda has not met with Manchester United or passed a medical when you find out who his new team are on Friday you will all agree that we made the right choice," Bulut said.
Arda, a key player as Atletico have won the Europa League, Copa del Rey and La Liga titles in recent seasons, has also been linked with Barcelona as the secret signing who outgoing president and election candidate Josep Maria Bartomeu is to reveal in the run-up to July 18's poll at Camp Nou.
Rival candidate Joan Laporta hinted to Cadena Cope radio show El Partido de las 12 that he was not interested in discussing a deal for Turan, as Atletico did not want to sell.
"If Atletico were interested in selling Arda, I would speak with the club," Laporta said. "But I do not believe they want to sell him."