Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly in a three-way battle with Bayer Leverkusen to sign 19-year-old Turkish prodigy Arda Guler from Real Madrid.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Arda Guler is not a happy camper at Real Madrid amid his dwindling game time. The situation has not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal and Manchester City in a three-way battle to sign the 19-year-old prodigy from Real Madrid next year.
Arda Guler and his Real Madrid frustrations
Arda Guler was one of the most highly sought-after prodigies in the world when he joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in July 2013, with Barcelona among the other clubs that mulled over securing his services. The Turk had to bide his time before making his first-team bow for Los Blancos, with fitness issues plaguing him in the first half of the 2023/24 season.
Guler would have hoped for more game time in the first quarter of the 2024/25 campaign after ending last season on a high. However, the 19-year-old has managed only 292 minutes of game time across 11 appearances in all competitions, with starts coming at a premium for the young prodigy.
Meanwhile, the Turkish international’s situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Several Premier League bigwigs were keen on signing Guler from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, and the latest report has linked him with Arsenal and Manchester United.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Arsenal’s interest in Arda Guler is intriguing. The young midfielder reprises a similar role to Martin Odegaard. So, he might not become the undisputed first-choice midfielder at the Emirates unless he plays as a box-to-box midfielder. Nevertheless, the Real Madrid wonderkid is a target for Real Madrid.
As for Manchester City, the Real Madrid prodigy could become the long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne. With the Belgian playmaker approaching the twilight of his career, he might embark on a new adventure away from the Etihad soon. So, the 19-year-old Turkish prodigy is a viable target for Manchester City.
Apart from Arsenal and Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen will also look to sign the Turk from Real Madrid next year. With the in-demand Florian Wirtz’s future uncertain, Die Werkself will need a replacement. It will not be surprising to see Guler and Wirtz swap bases, with Arsenal and Manchester City left in the lurch.
