Galatasaray signing Arda Turan has hit out at former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.

When Valverde arrived in the summer of 2017, Turan had already spent a season and a half at Barcelona.

Yet he didn't play again and he reflected on this in an interview with beIN Sports.

"I arrived at Barcelona as Atletico Madrid's starting No.10, as an important player," Turan said.

"I also played an important role at Barcelona until the arrival of Valverde, who made me feel insignificant.

"There was a point where I had the bests stats after Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

"Yet Valverde didn't give me the chance to play, not even in friendly matches.

"That's why my time at Barcelona ended."

He went on to insist that he was the one who decided he should move on.

"I decided to leave Barcelona," he stated.

"I can't stay if I'm not happy somewhere, whether it's Barcelona or the most important club.

"Money was never the priority for me."