Real Madrid make final decision over Arda Guler transfer after Arsenal approach

The 19-year-old joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in July 2023 for €20 million (£17 million), signing a six-year contract with the club. Highly regarded for his talent, Guler was seen as a significant investment for Los Blancos.

However, after a year in Madrid, the Turkish international is said to be frustrated by limited playing time under Carlo Ancelotti, fueling rumors that he might consider a departure. Reports last week suggested Arsenal were monitoring his situation closely and had even initiated conversations with the young midfielder’s camp ahead of the January transfer window.

The Gunners reportedly see parallels between Guler’s current challenges and Martin Odegaard’s journey, as the Norwegian left Real Madrid three years ago to secure more regular playing time at Arsenal, where he has since thrived.

Despite this, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Real Madrid are not open to any negotiations for Guler, making it unlikely that Arsenal or any other club can pursue the talented playmaker in the near future.

‘In the last three or four weeks when the player was basically not playing, two clubs – not from Spain, from other countries, but in Europe – reached out to Real Madrid for Arda Guler once again,’ Romano said on his official YouTube channel.

‘Let me tell you that in the last year, from January to the summer transfer window, and now in recent months, I think more than 15 or 16 clubs approached Real Madrid in this general case, also from Spain, for Arda Guler on loan.

‘Real Madrid always said, “No”, and now, once again, two weeks ago, three weeks ago, Real Madrid keep rejecting any approach for Arda Guler.

‘No interest in loaning him out, no interest in selling him, believing that they signed a fantastic talent with Arda Guler.

‘So no interest in moving forward with discussions or talks for Arda Guler. He is staying at Real Madrid.’

Romano’s take on the situation ties in with Ancelotti’s recent comments on Guler, which came after his eye-catching performance against Leganes.

‘When the team plays well it’s because everyone contributes,’ Ancelotti told reporters following Madrid’s 3-0 win.

‘Arda has contributed a lot when it comes to creativity in the final third, he has been close to scoring goals, he has played a complete game.

‘These are players that we can count on at this moment because the demands of the games are very high. We need everyone going forward.’

Guler’s contract, which he signed when joining Los Blancos, runs through to the summer of 2029.

The former Fenerbahce player will no doubt be desperate to continue his run in Ancelotti’s starting XI when Madrid face off against Liverpool in the Champions League tomorrow.