The young Turkish talent was firmly on Barcelona’s radar as well.
Real Madrid and Barcelona were in a tug of war for Arda Güler. In the end, the white club prevailed and will secure the Turkish teenager for the next six seasons. As reported, the player is en route to the Spanish capital to finalize his agreement with Ancelotti’s squad. The official presentation is scheduled for Friday, July 7 at noon at Real Madrid City, according to the club’s statement.
A hefty commitment for someone who, despite shining at Fenerbahçe, is only 18 years old.
The numbers behind the deal
Real Madrid will pay 20 million euros, plus performance-based add-ons totaling 2.5 million more than the termination clause set by Fenerbahçe. Additionally, a commission around 20 million will be paid to the player’s representatives.
One detail: the Turkish club will retain 20% of any future sale.
Who is Arda Güler, the player Barcelona was keen on
Arda Güler is an 18-year-old Turkish attacking midfielder who already wears the number 10 at Fenerbahçe. His moments on the ball are noteworthy. He belongs to a rare breed of players, those who seem to improvise magic when the ball sits at their feet.
He first appeared in first-team call-ups during the 2020/21 season when he was still just 16. By now, he has accumulated 35 appearances across all competitions in the current season, with six goals and seven assists spread across the Turkish Süper Lig, the Turkish Cup (which his team won this campaign), and the UEFA Europa League.
International exposure
Güler already has international experience. He played 10 matches for Turkey’s U-17 team and earned a call-up to the senior national team, becoming a regular since September 2022. Undeniably, Arda Güler carries the potential to become a standout figure for the next generation of football talent.
(Goal)