Arsenal in talks over sensational Arda Guler deal this January: report

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Arsenal are looking to bring in Arda Guler, with the Real Madrid star finding minutes hard to come by

Arsenal target Arda Guler
Arsenal target Arda Guler (Image credit: Getty)

Arsenal have opened talks to sign Arda Guler from Real Madrid this January, as Mikel Arteta looks to salvage the Gunners' season.

Arteta's side sit fourth in the table, ahead of taking on high-flying Nottingham Forest this weekend when Premier League action returns. Arsenal are nine points off Liverpool at the top of the table, with a lack of goals costing them of late.

In fact, the north Londoners haven't won since early November in the league, with Arteta perhaps set to try and change that – with a huge move for Real Madrid superstar Arda Guler.

Arsenal have opened discussions over Arda Guler signing this winter

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.

Arteta wants more in attack (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Guler rose to prominence at Euro 2024 this summer, and was ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo's list of the most exciting teenagers to watch this season.

Having joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window of 2023, Guler has struggled to break into Carlo Ancelotti's side, after being sidelined for much of the last campaign through injury. Despite being fit this term though, minutes have still been hard to come by.

Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, looks on during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Ancelotti hasn't given Guler too much game-time (Image credit: Getty Images)

Now, according to Spanish outlet Sport, Arsenal have opened talks to sign the attacking midfielder on loan.

Arsenal, of course, signed club captain Martin Odegaard from Real on loan in January 2021 – another Los Blancos wonderkid who struggled for minutes at the Bernabeu. They then made the deal permanent over that summer.

With just 747 minutes in a Real shirt, Guler could well be rehabilitated by Arteta, who may choose to use him as a Bukayo Saka alternative or another option in midfield.

Turkish outlet Takvim linked Arsenal with a move in 2023, while it was reported earlier this year that “all roads lead to” Guler leaving on loan.

Arda Guler new Real Madrid player is unveiled at Valdebebas training ground on July 07, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

Guler has played very little for Real Madrid (Image credit: Maria Jimenez - Real Madrid/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's opinion, this would be a good move for Arsenal… but would it be for Guler? The last thing the Turkish international needs is to be battling the likes of Saka, Odegaard and others for game time.

Guler is worth €45 million, according to Transfermarkt. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.