After sabotaging a deal from rivals Barcelona to acquire the youngster, Real Madrid has announced the shocking signing of Turkish wonder Arda Guler from Fenerbahce.
The 18-year-old, who was well-liked around Europe and was reported to have a £16 million release clause in his contract, was said to be close to signing with Barcelona after the Catalan giants put in an offer for him.
Los Blancos intervened, though, and they came to an agreement on a deal for 20 million euros plus 10 million more in performance-based add-ons, along with a 20% sell-on clause should they decide to send him on.
Despite Florentino Perez’s earlier assertions that no more business will be conducted in the Spanish capital following the arrival of Joselu, they have now announced that a deal has been finalised, with Guler signing a six-year contract and coming this summer.
Guler, known as the Turkish Messi for his deft dribbling and precise control, rose to fame over the previous 12 months with Fenerbahce. In 51 appearances for Los Blancos, he registered 9 goals and 12 assists.
He will play for Carlo Ancelotti’s revamped Real Madrid team, which will welcome back Brahim Diaz from his loan with AC Milan but lost Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio to free transfers this summer.
The decision on whether or not he will be able to play a significant role in Real Madrid’s attempt to wrest back La Liga from Barcelona and win a fifteenth Champions League trophy in 2023–24 will be made in preseason. He may be loaned out before playing any senior football for Real Madrid, though.