Barcelona want 16-year-old WONDERKID after losing Guler to Real Madrid

Tom Weber

• 12 Jul 2023 16:50 BST
• 4 min read

Barcelona have swiftly moved on from their Arda Guler disappointment and they are now targeting another young Turkish talent, according to Spanish media.

The Blaugrana thought they had a transfer for the Fenerbahce wonderkid wrapped up with sporting director Deco travelling to Turkey to close the deal. Yet Real Madrid ultimately swooped in and stole him right from under Barcelona's noses, which enraged Deco and left him convinced that he was used as a pawn by the Gulers to get more money out of the youngster's move.

Despite the dismay that losing a seemingly all-but-confirmed signing to their biggest rivals caused, the Catalans are already looking at the next Turkish prodigy. According to SPORT and Sky Germany, the Blaugrana are eyeing a move for Kebir Ali Canpolat.

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A Germany-born Turkey youth international, Canpolat is a winger who has made 13 appearances for Turkey's U17s, scoring four goals. The 16-year-old is a product of Eintracht Frankfurt's youth academy, but he is currently a free agent after leaving the Eagles on July 1.

Despite being without a club, signing him won't be straightforward for Barcelona.

European giants interested

The above-mentioned reports go on to say that the Blaugrana aren't the only European giants interested in Canpolat - and it's not hard to see why.

The 16-year-old scored 11 goals and recorded eight assists in just 14 U17 Bundesliga fixtures last term and his performances have attracted interest from Inter and Juventus.

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Prolific talent producers Ajax are also said the be eyeing a move, as are a trio of Premier League clubs believed to be Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Canpolat decided to leave Frankfurt because the Bundesliga side did not offer him a clear pathway to the first team, according to Sport1. Despite youth development being a core pillar of the club's philosophy, the Eagles have failed to properly integrate any academy products into their senior squad in recent years.