‘Turkish Messi’ Snubs Barcelona for Real Madrid Ahead of Summer Transfer

• Real Madrid have won the race to sign Arda Guler
• The 18-year-old was heavily linked to joining Barcelona
• Guler is already a full Turkey international with four caps

Fenerbahce's Arda Guler has reportedly snubbed Barcelona and decided to join bitter rivals Real Madrid instead.

The 18-year-old, who has emerged as one of the most promising prospects in European football and has been compared to Lionel Messi, is about to sign with Los Blancos.

Barcelona heavily courted the attacking midfielder, but he ultimately decided to join the 14-time Champions League winners, according to The Athletic.

Los Blancos are expected to complete the deal this week and will pay just over his €17.5million release clause.

The teenager is already a full Turkey international with four caps and has played 51 times for Fenerbahce, scoring four goals and registering nine assists.

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As reported by Goal, Madrid are said to be willing to pay more than Guler's release clause to bring him into the club, and the Turkish side will have a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

The signing of Guler would be part of the club's policy of attracting young talent, which has brought the club so much success in recent years, and which this season has had another chapter with the signing of Jude Bellingham when he was only 19 years old.

Fine season at Fenerbahce

In the 2022-23 season, he made 35 appearances, scoring six goals and registering seven assists for Fenerbahce.

One of his most recent and best performances came in the Turkish Cup final when they defeated Basaksehir 2-0.

He was decisive with an assist and he picked up the Man of the Match award.

Milan joins Guler transfer race

In a previous report, Sports Brief stated AC Milan are also keen to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid, in their pursuit of Fenerbahce star, Guler, who has been likened to Lionel Messi.

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Guler has since broken through Fernerbahce’s first-team plans, helping them lift the Turkish Cup last season.

Should Guler secure a transfer to AC Milan ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, he could prove to be a great coup for them. He would likely fill the void left by Brahim Diaz, who has re-joined Real Madrid.

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