La Liga: Real Madrid wins race to sign Arda Guler ‘Turkish Messi’

Real Madrid are now set to complete the signing of 18-year-old Arda Guler, who has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in European football and has been likened to Argentine legend, Lionel Messi.

Arda Guler has become one of the sensations of the summer. The Turkish youngster has spent days deciding between several of Europe’s top clubs as to where his next destination will be.

In the last few hours, the battle has been confined to an all-Spanish fight between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with AC Milan relegated to the background. There was plenty of interest in the teenager as Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Borussia Dortmund were also said to be sniffing around.

The decision is imminent, it was between first-team football or a clearer project. That is to say, Real Madrid’s chances of success or Barcelona’s immediate incorporation into the first team. The player and his father reportedly listened to the two big Spanish football clubs before taking their final decision.

The Athletic reported that Barcelona made a major play to sign the attacking midfielder but he reportedly opted to move to Real Madrid.

The teenager is already a full Turkey international with four caps and has played 51 times for Fenerbahce, scoring four goals and registering nine assists. Madrid are said to be willing to pay more than Guler’s release clause to bring him into the club, and the Turkish side will have a 20 percent sell-on clause.

Likened to Mesut Ozil due to his technical excellence, Guler was in superb form for Fenerbahce last season. No one in his age group in the Super Lig and Europe’s top five leagues had more goal involvement than him and he also appeared on the longlist for Tuttosport’s Golden Boy award last month.

He will now continue his career in Spain and is likely to be part of Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team squad in 2023/24.