Arda Turan is reportedly refusing to leave Barcelona.

According to Diario Gol, Turan has ‘stunned’ Lionel Messi by revealing that he’s happy to stay at Barcelona despite his lack of playing time.

The £24m midfielder has been linked with a move to Arsenal, as well as Galatasaray, since the summer. And with under two years left on his current deal with the Catalans, it seems logical that the 30-year-old should be sent on his way. Even though I doubt the Gunners actually want to sign him.

But no. Apparently Turan wants to stay put, which, if true, is a little concerning. Players should always want minutes on the pitch, even if that means moving away from one of the best teams in the world.

turan celebrate
GIJON, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 24: Arda Turan of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the La Liga match between Real Sporting de Gijon and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Molinon on September 24, 2016 in Gijon, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The Turkey international made just 14 La Liga starts last term and nine the season before that. When he was still playing for Atletico Madrid during the 2014/15 season, he started 28.

The official line at the moment is that he’s still sidelined with a metatarsal bone bruise. Before that, he was out from 6 September to 18 September with ‘back problems’. Therefore, there was a period at the start of the season and a gap between September and October in which he still wasn’t getting played.

However, if Turan’s happy staying put and not playing, that’s up to him. Just keep that kind of attitude away from Arsenal – we’re already struggling with players with no drive.