As the Turkey midfielder prepares to move back to his homeland, Goal takes a look at some of the least successful buys in Blaugrana history Getty Images Arda Turan The Turkey midfielder arrived at Barca in the summer of 2015 for a fee of €34 million, but had to wait six months for his debut as the Catalans were banned by FIFA from registering new players for a year due to irregularities in the recruitment of youngsters. The 30-year-old has made only 55 appearances since then, each one costing the club around €1m when the transfer fee and his wages are taken into account. He has not played a single…

The likes of Bale, Auba and Nainggolan have been linked with a move to China, but the club are set on honing local talent Guangzhou Evergrande have publicly denied interest in stars such as Gareth Bale and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, insisting that they will focus on developing their own stars.  Coached by Fabio Cannavaro, the Canton club have shied away from the blockbuster imports made by some of their Superleague rivals in recent years That policy has hardly hurt them on the pitch, however, with 2017 seeing them win a seventh consecutive CSL title.  Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs…

The Argentine’s future at San Siro is increasingly uncertain – but the club’s hierarchy appear keen to welcome him back into the fold Inter director Javier Zanetti is hopeful that Mauro Icardi will return to the field in the next two weeks. Icardi’s Inter future was placed in doubt when he was stripped of his captaincy last week and replaced by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. The 26-year-old, who has been linked with a number of sides including Serie A rivals Juventus, then withdrew himself from selection for the Europa League first-leg tie against Rapid Vienna last Thursday. Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro…

Ipswich manager Paul Lambert has been charged with misconduct for his part in Sunday’s ugly scenes during the East Anglian derby against his former side Norwich City. Lambert accused Norwich of a “lack of class” and insists he has no regrets at being sent off during the 3-0 defeat at Carrow Road. Lambert was shown his marching orders on the stroke of half-time, along with Norwich’s head of performance Chris Domogalla, as a brawl broke out between the two teams. Lambert, who clashed with several members of the Canaries backroom staff, had to be restrained by a police officer during the fracas. The 49-year-old’s relationship with the club he left back in…

Leganes dumped Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Wednesday, with the Blancos coach taking full responsibility Zinedine Zidane accepted his fate will be decided by February’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain after Real Madrid were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes. Marco Asensio’s late goal had earned Madrid a 1-0 advantage in last week’s opening leg of the quarter-final, putting Zidane’s side in full control of the tie heading back to the Santiago Bernabeu. But despite Zidane recalling Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema – although Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were rested – Leganes sealed a 2-1 victory and progressed on away goals. Article continues…

Manchester United face their toughest test yet under currently unbeaten interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The Norwegian and his now merry men must face-off against a PSG with a host of world-class superstars, including wonderkid Kylian Mbappe, but Brazilian sensation Neymar will be nowhere to be seen. The forward suffered a fractured metatarsal against Strasbourg in the Coupe de France in late January and is set to be out for the return leg too, which will take place on March 6. But it turns out the Red Devils might not be quite as happy as they thought about facing the…

A Burnley fan who allegedly aimed abuse at Brighton & Hove Albion defender Gaetan Bong has been charged with a racially aggravated offence. Two men were arrested after being ejected during the Premier League match at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, which Burnley won 3-1. The two men were subsequently charged by the Crown Prosecution Service and will appear in court next month. Sussex Police released a statement about the incident. The statement said: “Two men have been charged following an incident during the Brighton and Hove Albion vs Burnley match at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. “Club stewards responded to reports of racist abuse received by away supporters in…

Nantes paid tribute to former striker Emiliano Sala by wearing an all-black kit bearing his name for their first match since the Cardiff player was confirmed dead. A body recovered from the wreckage of the Piper Malibu in the English Channel was earlier this week confirmed to be Sala. Pilot David Ibbotson, the only other person on the aircraft which crashed on its way to Wales on January 21, remains missing. Black armbands were donned by every Premier League club this weekend to honour Sala, while Cardiff have paid tribute to their club-record signing in their recent matches. Emiliano Sala: Born in Argentina, forged in France, and tragically taken on…

The two South Americans produced wonder goals to leave this Copa del Rey semi-final all but decided and sometimes it is almost impossible to stop them COMMENT Sometimes collective excellence is just not enough. Atletico Madrid competed as usual against Barcelona, but found themselves two down early on and were unable to come back despite a rousing reaction in the second half. On this occasion, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were just too good. Barca one step from final thanks to Messi & Suarez Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a…

The Championship title race is going to go down to the wire as seven points separate the top five. Currently Norwich City are at the summit as they seek to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2016 They kept their bid for promotion on track with a 3-0 victory over rivals Ipswich Town at Carrow Road last weekend and their home form will be vital to their chances. Over the last eight matches at their own stadium, they have the second best record in the league, while rivals Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion aren’t quite as successful, which could damage their hopes. But how does…