Real Madrid to battle Barcelona for 18-year-old SENSATION

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 1 Jul 2023 08:58 CDT
• 3 min read

Arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to fight for the signature of Fenerbahce and Turkey starlet Arda Guler.

Barca had appeared favourites to land the 18-year-old attacking midfielder, but it looks like they could now face stiff competition from their fierce El Clasico foes – despite having reportedly already agreed a deal in principle.

Guler has already made 51 first-team appearances for Fenerbahce, having debuted for the Super Lig giants just under two years ago at the age of only 16; he earned his first senior international cap in 2022.

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According to Mundo Deportivo (via GOAL), Real are readying an approach of their own for Guler – with Bernabeu icons Roberto Carlos and Emilio Butragueno expected to meet with the teenager’s entourage.

Our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently rates Guler at €8.3m – although he is said to have a release clause of €17.5m.

Real have already swooped to land one of Europe’s hottest young talents this summer, completing a €103m deal to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund; defender Fran Garcia has also arrived from Rayo Vallecano.

As for Barca, they’ve mad just the one signing so far this transfer window, picking up Ilkay Gundogan as a free agent following his departure from Manchester City.

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Guler the Culer?

Guler made 35 appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahce last term, scoring six goals as Jorge Jesus’ side finished second in the league and won the Turkish Cup.

The former Genclerbirligi youngster bagged his first senior international goal last month, securing Turkey a 2-0 victory over Wales in Euro 2024 qualifying.

He wouldn’t be the first Turk to sign for either Real or Barca: Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop both had short spells with the former, while Rustu Recber and Arda Turan turned out for the latter.