Arsenal have a golden opportunity to sign a hugely talented young playmaker compared to the great Mesut Ozil.
Ozil moved to N5 on Deadline Day of 2013 for a club-record £42.5 million, helping to inspire the Gunners to three FA Cups during his time. A controversial figure by the end of his time at Arsenal, the World Cup winner was undoubtedly one of the most technically gifted footballers in Europe at his peak and it's still seen as a major coup that the north Londoners managed to sign him.
Now, his heir to the throne could follow the same path to work under Mikel Arteta, with the Basque's side perhaps needing a little more creativity, with Martin Odegaard tasked with the bulk of it in midfield.
Fichajes in Spain are reporting that “all roads lead to” Turkish talent Arda Guler leaving Real Madrid on loan next season, following an injury-hit first season at the 14-time European champions.
Turkish outlet Takvim linked Arsenal with a move this time last year, with plenty of comparisons made between the teenager and Ozil, who mentored him at Fenerbahce. With the likes of Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe failing to step up to help Odegaard in Arteta's midfield this season, the Gunners could well return for Guler to assist – just as they did when they signed Ozil from Los Blancos 11 years ago.
In FourFourTwo's view, this would be a smart move from Arsenal. The Gunners need more creativity in midfield and have missed Vieira this season, with his long-passing having been a dangerous weapon against mid-blocks in times gone by.
Realistically though, Arsenal are beyond the point where loans are considered in their squad anymore. If the Gunners are to bring anyone new into the club this summer, it will be a permanent deal – and with Guler unproven in Europe's top five leagues, it would be a massive surprise to task him with a senior role in this side.
Guler is worth €15m, according to Transfermarkt.
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