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Real Madrid have ‘no interest’ in Arda Guler leaving the club on either a temporary or permanent basis amid rumours Arsenal are in contact with the midfielder’s camp over a possible move.
Guler, 19, completed a €20million (£17m) switch from Fenerbahce to Madrid in July 2023, with the highly rated youngster putting pen to paper on a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.
However, just a year on from Guler’s arrival in Madrid, the Turkey international is said to have grown frustrated with his lack of minutes under Carlo Ancelotti and rumours have been circulating that another move could be on the cards.
Reports emanating out of Spain last week claimed Arsenal were keeping close tabs on developments and discussions had taken place with the ‘unhappy’ teenager’s entourage to gauge his potential availability ahead of the January transfer window.
The Gunners were said to have had likened Arda’s current situation to that of a young Martin Odegaard, who departed the Spanish capital for north London in search of regular playing time three years ago.
But according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal – and any other club pursuing a deal for Guler – will hit a brick wall should they attempt to open talks with Madrid for the diminutive playmaker.
‘In the last three or four weeks when the player was basically not playing, two clubs – not from Spain, from other countries, but in Europe – reached out to Real Madrid for Arda Guler once again,’ Romano said on his official YouTube channel.
‘Let me tell you that in the last year, from January to the summer transfer window, and now in recent months, I think more than 15 or 16 clubs approached Real Madrid in this general case, also from Spain, for Arda Guler on loan.
‘Real Madrid always said, “No”, and now, once again, two weeks ago, three weeks ago, Real Madrid keep rejecting any approach for Arda Guler.
‘No interest in loaning him out, no interest in selling him, believing that they signed a fantastic talent with Arda Guler.
‘So no interest in moving forward with discussions or talks for Arda Guler. He is staying at Real Madrid.’
Romano’s take on the situation ties in with Ancelotti’s recent comments on Guler, which came after the Turk’s eye-catching performance against Leganes.
‘When the team plays well it’s because everyone contributes,’ Ancelotti told reporters following Madrid’s 3-0 win.
‘Arda has contributed a lot when it comes to creativity in the final third, he has been close to scoring goals, he has played a complete game.
‘These are players that we can count on at this moment because the demands of the games are very high. We need everyone going forward.’
Guler’s current contract, which he signed when joining Los Blancos, runs through to the summer of 2029.
The former Fenerbahce man will no doubt be hoping to continue his run in Ancelotti’s starting XI when Madrid face off against Liverpool in the Champions League tomorrow evening.
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