Real Madrid Misfit Arda Guler Set To Return To Turkey, Reports Relevo
Real Madrid star Arda Guler is set to return to Turkey on loan according to Relevo transfer market expert Matteo Moretto, who cited anonymous sources.
Madrid famously beat bitter rivals FC Barcelona to Guler’s signature last summer when agreeing to pay a fixed $21.7 million (€20 million) to Fenerbache plus $10.8 million (€10 million) in variables and 20% of any future sale as reported by Mundo Deportivo at the time.
Guler suffered a major setback when tearing his meniscus on a pre-season tour of the United States and then suffered a muscle knock and another unknown niggle that meant he wasn’t able to make his debut until a January 6 meeting with Arandina in the Copa del Rey.
Across all competitions, the 19-year-old has only been able to accumulate a combined 92 minutes which head coach Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t see as a positive for his development.
“I think a young player like him needs to play in order to progress. That clashes with the demands of the team and the club. You have to be patient. I understand that you have to get minutes, but that doesn’t correspond to the team’s demands. I would like the fans to see the talent,” Ancelotti said ahead of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.
By mentioning the team’s “demands”, Ancelotti nodded to an ‘overbooking’ in the Madrid squad, as goes the phrase in Spain.
Despite his undoubted potential seen in numerous training ground clips, Guler will always find it difficult to find a way into a midfield or attack that boasts talents such as Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham, Fede Vavlerde, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. to list a few.
Whenever those players aren’t available or need a rest, first preference often then goes to the likes of Luka Modric, Joselu and Brahim Diaz.
In swift succession following Ancelotti’s remarks, Relevo reported that Real Madrid is open to letting Guler go out on loan to gain experience, in a development that has previously paid dividends for Valverde and Brahim to cut their teeth elsewhere in the elite and then return to the Bernabeu.
According to Moretto, however, who posted two simple Turkish flag and return arrow emojis while sharing a link to Relevo‘s previous report, Guler looks set to head back to his homeland and an unnamed club.
That is likely to be Fenerbahce, which might anger Barca considering they suggested the possibility of Guler signing for them and then staying with the Istanbul giants for the 2023/2024 season prior to landing in Catalonia, according to SPORT.
