Chelsea did not negotiate to sign Barcelona new signing Arda Turan

Chelsea were never in contention to sign Barcelona new boy Arda Turan, according to the player's agent despite the Premier League champions having been heavily linked with a move for the Turkey international.

The Guardian reported on 1 July that the Blues would be given the chance to sign the 28-year-old this summer, prior to his €41m (£29m, $26.50m) move to the Nou Camp, a tenure that will begin after the club's transfer embargo is lifted in January 2016.

But in an attempt to dismiss speculation regarding the player's decision-making process, representative Ahmed Bulut says Chelsea were never in contention to sign Turan, despite the widespread suggestions.

"We took five years of signature," Bulut told Spor Net-NTV. "Fee will be €41m. Art is very happy. This is not bestowed on every field. A great achievement for Turkish football.

"Was 1.5 months for Arda transfer to Barcelona I was seeing. Not shortage of money. This week will be a signing ceremony. We did no negotiations with Chelsea.

"Barcelona was the first option. We got an agreement because of Luis Enrique's insistence."

Turan's move to the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League holders could yet be cancelled on 20 July by which time a new Barcelona president is installed, with the new man allowed to veto the move that would see the Catalan giants sell the player back at a cut price.

The former Galatasaray midfielder missed the opportunity to reunite with former Atletico strikers Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao at Chelsea – the latter of whom has moved to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan deal from Monaco.

Falcao scored just four times while with Manchester United last season but Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has taken a gamble on the Colombia international despite his chequered injury history, and he will replace Didier Drogba for the new campaign after the Ivorian ended his second spell at the club.