Real Madrid will compete with Barcelona in the race to sign 18-year-old Fenerbahce prodigy Arda Guler, also known as “Turkish Messi”.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Arda Guler is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions are considering signing the 18-year-old prodigy in the summer. And the “Turkish Messi” is also a target for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Arda Guler joined Fenerbahce as a prodigious teenage prospect in 2019 after spending most of his formative years with Genclerbirligi SK. And the Turkish wonderkid has made significant progress at the Istanbul-based club. His progress has also compelled pundits to label him as the “Turkish Messi”.
The youngster made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old last season. And the 18-year-old prodigy has gradually risen in stature since then, turning out 21 times this season. Meanwhile, Guler’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several high-profile clubs keen on signing him. And Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in the teenager.
The Turkish whizkid has been on Barcelona’s radar for a long time. And the interest from the Blaugrana comes in the wake of their squad requirements heading into the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants need at least one midfielder and wide attacker ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Signing Guler might thus enable Barcelona to kill two birds with one stone. The player is a creative midfielder who can also play out wide. And the “Turkish Messi” will thus solve Barcelona’s issues amid the never-ending financial woes. But the Catalan giants face stiff competition from Real Madrid for the 18-year-old prodigy.
At Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti admires players who can reprise different roles in his team. Federico Valverde has been the biggest benefactor of this outlook. And Guler fits the mould as he can play as an attacking midfielder and a right winger. So Real Madrid’s emergence in the equation is understandable.
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Meanwhile, Fenerbahce will not demand a premium to part ways with the 18-year-old prodigy. And the report claims that paying €5 million might get the job done. The valuation keeps Barcelona in the equation, and it will be interesting to see if they beat Real Madrid to his signature.
