admin
Xabi Alonso is eyeing a move to land Turkish wonderkid Arda Guler away from Real Madrid – albeit only on loan.
Guler, 19, took the footballing world by storm at this summer’s European Championships, displaying a phenomenal talent that had been mostly hidden the season prior with Real Madrid due to injury and competition for places.
The Turkey starlet, who moved to Madrid from Fenerbahce, began life at his new club with an injury suffered while on pre-season tour in the US. Upon returning to fitness, he found a pecking order of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham difficult to break through as manager Carlo Ancelotti offered sparse opportunities.
And with the arrivals of Endrick and Kylian Mbappé, Guler could find himself staring at another season of limited influence if the youngster can’t jump the pecking order.
An alternative answer could arrive in the form of Alonso, who according to Sport, is set to have a keen interest in procuring the services of the highly-rated youngster.
Alonso, who was tipped for the Liverpool job but committed his future to Leverkusen, faces stiff competition for the signing of Guler. AC Milan were said to be ready to pay the €17.5 million release clause for Guler according to reports in Italy. Levante also reached out about a potential loan move.
Real Madrid previously insisted that Guler was going nowhere ahead of the upcoming campaign as he was part of Ancelotti’s first-team plans. Despite an uncertain start to life in Madrid, Guler is said to have won Ancelotti over with a number of fine cameo displays.
Asked about Guler in April, Ancelotti said “There’s no doubt he’ll stay here next year. I really liked his great attitude, fighting and fighting for every ball.”
Guler himself has also maintained that he wants to prove himself with the Spanish giants. However, following his highly impressive performances in Germany last month, he does not want to repeat last season, wants more playing time and is open to taking a year away if its gets him more minutes.
Alonso, who was the subject of interest from a number of clubs in search of new managers this summer including Real Madrid’s rivals Barcelona, is building on Leverkusen’s historic title-winning campaign last term. The addition of Guler would be a significant display of ambition from the German club and their young manager – Mirror
Online Reporter