Guler's contract with Fenerbahce was slated to expire in June 2025 and had a 17.5 million euro release clause. Given the Turkish club's desire to keep the teenager to reduce the gap on rival Galatasaray in the Super Lig next season, the club was not willing to accept any simple bids.
To get Guler's services, the Spanish giants are alleged to have offered a €20 million fixed price, a 20% sell-on clause, and further add-ons in the 'package, plus taxes.
Arsenal and other teams were interested in the 18-year-old Turkish international. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been interested in signing him since the summer transfer market opened, thanks to his recent great performances for club and country.
Arda Güler has already received documents for six year deal from Real Madrid. All parties checking, reviewing contracts then signing soon. ⚪️🇹🇷 #RealMadrid
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2023
Real Madrid are also preparing travel and medical tests. pic.twitter.com/PGuahrISoc
Many have compared his play style and attacking ability to those of Argentine great Lionel Messi.
Barcelona was interested in signing the teenager, as club president Joan Laporta disclosed. However, it appears that Guler has chosen to associate himself with their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.
The Turkish international will now join Real Madrid's ever-expanding pool of youthful talent, which includes Vinicius Jr., Aurélien Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jude Bellingham.
Given the aging nature of players like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, as well as the departure of Casemiro, Madrid are intent on rebuilding their core to construct yet another group that will enable them to cement their legacy for years to come.
Mesut Ozil, an ex-Real Madrid great and Guler's former teammate is alleged to have persuaded the teenager to choose Los Blancos over their rivals. Following the announcement of Guler's impending move, excerpts from a 2014 interview in which the German complimented the 18-year-old resurfaced.
Is there a better number 10 than me? "I have a brother in whom I believe; may God protect him from the evil eye; his name is Arda Güler," the 2014 World Cup champion Mesut Ozil said.
Guler has nine goals and 12 assists in 51 Fenerbahce appearances. And, even more impressively, he is presently averaging a goal and an assist every 91 minutes.