Barcelona boss Luis Enrique asked the club to sign Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid, presidential candidate Josep Maria Bartomeu has said.
Bartomeu, who has stepped down as president ahead of his bid for re-election on July 18, confirmed to Cadena SER on Friday that the coach had specifically requested both the Turkey international and Aleix Vidal, who has already completed a move from Sevilla.
"Luis Enrique has asked for him," Bartomeu said, in quotes reported by AS. "The priorities for the coach were Aleix Vidal and Arda.
"The board needs to sign a player like him -- they have to. They must sign Arda and incorporate him as soon as possible so that he can start the preseason."
Joan Laporta, Bartomeu's primary rival at the election, has been critical of the club's efforts to sign Paul Pogba and Turan before the new president is confirmed, telling Cadena SER: "The board shouldn't make any statements. [Turan] is a great player, I like him, but the board can't make these declarations and should wait until the 19th when there is a president."
However, Marca has reported that neither Atletico nor Turan are willing to wait until July 18 and that they want a decision on his future by Monday.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both reported to be keen on signing Turan, with Chelsea striker Diego Costa saying this week he wants a reunion with his former Atletico teammate, which may force Barca into early action.
Bartomeu said he felt everything was in place for Barca to make their move for the 28-year-old now.
"Before stepping down, we left everything in an advanced state which is why we have the information we need," he said. "I am not in contact with the board but the statutes should always be respected as long as it is to the benefit of the club.
"I don't know whether Arda can wait 10 days. I hope to make it official in due course and the price we have set is less than €35 million."
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has also talked up a potential deal for Turan.
"Arda is a great player, one of talent and spectacular quality," he said in AS. "Anything that improves the team is always important. If he comes in the end, he will be welcome. He will come to add [to the team]."
On comparisons with Xavi Hernandez, who left Barca at the end of the season, he added: "They are different players. Arda, at Atletico, does not play in that position but he has the characteristics to play inside. He is a midfielder that combines very well, he understands the play very well, but we will see what happens."
He also praised Juventus midfielder Pogba, saying: "He is a player that all of the big teams would want to have in their team, a lad who is still very young, with talent and strength to play at the top level."