Arsenal to BEAT Ajax in race to land wonderkid

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Jun 2023 14:10 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal and Newcastle have formally communicated their interest in Fenerbahce's Arda Guler, according to Turkish media.

Long-linked with a move to Ajax, Guler could soon sign a new contract that will put him out of the Dutch giants' price range after they missed out on Champions League football, leaving Premier League clubs in pole position to land him.

Guler came through the youth academy of Gençlerbirliği before moving to the youth department of Fenerbahce. In August 2021, six months after signing a professional contract, he made his senior debut for the Istanbul outfit. He was barely 16 years old at the time.

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His impressive development earned him a new deal until 2025 last year, but there was an interesting clause inserted in his new contract: if he plays fewer than 1500 minutes this season, the attacking midfielder will be available to foreign clubs for just €5 million. The counter stands at 1392 minutes.

Guler's new deal

However, chairman Ali Koç and Guler's family are said to have a good relationship, and with negotiations to start on a new deal soon, this detail is expected to be dropped in favour of a €35 million release clause.

Though the midfielder was reportedly keen on a transfer to Ajax, who have an amazing track record when it comes to developing youngsters, his new release clause makes a transfer to Amsterdam unlikely.

Indeed, some reports claim that he switched to HCM Sports Management in anticipation of a move to Ajax. The company represents the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech, all former Ajax players.

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But the Dutch side pulling out of the race to get him leaves Arsenal and Newcastle as the favourites to land the youngster, though there are questions about whether the 18-year-old is ready for the Premier League. Guler has six goals and six assists so far for Fenerbahce this season.