Real Madrid have paid €20 million to sign 18-year-old midfielder Arda Guler from Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The club made the announcement on July 6, 2023, after the completion of the deal.
Guler has a release clause of $18.4 million in his contract with the Turkish side. Real Madrid beat Barcelona to the signature of the young midfielder after agreeing to surpass the clause.
Guler put pen to paper on a six-year contract with Real Madrid and will be announced as a new player for the club on June 7, 2023.
It was reported that Barcelona showed interest in the player, and they sent the club’s sporting director, Deco, to Istanbul to negotiate with Fenerbahce.
On the other hand, Real Madrid have been monitoring Guler since the 2021–22 season, with club chief scout Juni Calafat playing a significant role in signing the player.
Carlo Ancelotti wants the player to join the squad ahead of the preseason, but he does not rule out a loan move for the midfielder to help him get regular playing time.
The young midfielder faces competition from Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and a new signing from Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham.
However, he is a promising player who can play on the right and left wings. However, his best position remains playing behind a striker.
The midfielder became the second Turkish player to play in the Spanish La Liga after Nuri Sahin in May 2012.
Guler made 35 appearances for Fenerbahce last season, scoring six goals and creating seven assists in all competitions for the club.
He provided his first assist on his debut in August 2021.
Who is Arda Guler?
Arda Guler was born on February 25, 2005, and is currently 18 years old. Arda began his career in 2019 with Fenerbahce.
On January 13, 2021, he signed a two-year professional contract with the Turkish giant. Guler was seen as a wonder kid and the player of the future.
He became the youngest member of the Fenerbahce team to score a goal at the age of 17.
With his beautiful performances, he got the attention of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea, who were all interested in signing the player on a long-term deal.
For his national career, he played for Turkey U-21. He made his debut for his country on November 19, 2022, when Turkey defeated the Czech Republic 2-1.
Arda scored his first goal for Turkey against Wales in the Euro 2024 qualifiers on June 19, 2023.
He is famously called “Turkish Messi” because of his ability to go through defenders in a creative way. He was also referred to as the new Mesut Ozil because of his passing ability.
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