Arda Turan is facing up to another difficult season. Barça didn’t manage to find a club for the player this summer despite interest from Galatasaray and he’s not in Ernesto Valverde’s plan.

In a telephone interview on Sunday with the Turkish programme Beyaz Futbol, Arda confirmed that he wants to stay at Barça: “I’m staying. I’m very happy here and I have a contract for another three years,” he said.

He ruled out a move back to Turkey, where he has attracted a lot of criticism for his public support for President Erdogan and attacking a veteran journalist – he had to withdraw from the Turkey squad after the incident. “Galatasaray is my home but I know they don’t want me now (due to the fans). I don’t want to harm the team,” he said.

With no chance of a return to Turkey, Arda has no choice but to focus on Barça, where he has a contract until 2020. He knows he is not in Valverde’s plans and did not even make the squad for the game against Alavés. He is the last option for the wing and has five or six players ahead of him for those positions. His character and night life will not help him win back his place either. It definitely won’t be easy for him.