Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona keeping tabs on teenage midfield prodigy – report
According to reports from AS, Atletico Madrid are monitoring the status of 18-year-old Fenerbahce star Arda Guler. The Turkish international is supposed to be one of the biggest up-and-coming talents in the league and has no shortage of suitors in Europe.
Such is the player’s hype in Turkey that the National newspaper Fanatek headlined Guler to be a player who comes only once in 100 years. Fenerbahce purchased him in 2019 from Genclerbirligi SK for a mere fee of €7000. Four months later, he is already valued at €10 million.
The world is football is radically shifting towards signing talents right at the grassroots level. Barcelona and Real Madrid have already adapted to the new reality with ease in Spain, and it is high time Los Rojiblancos begin scouting the market too.
At just 18 years of age, Guler is already the Turkish club’s number 10 and has made ten Super Lig appearances. In his 230 minutes on the field at the league level, he has scored two goals and averages 1.3 key passes per game.
Further, he has also made five appearances for the club in the UEFA Europa League with a goal and an assist to show. Needless to say, there is a real case to be made about the Turkish player’s high ceiling.
Diego Simeone’s side see the player as a possible long-term solution to the attacking midfield position. However, they are not the only side monitoring the teenager’s situation in Fenerbahce.
Barcelona are the biggest name fighting with the Colchoneros to win the player’s services. While the player’s preference will be key, Atletico Madrid could look to outmuscle the Catalans on the economic front given Barcelona’s financial struggles.
As the summer transfer window nears, rapid progress in negotiations is expected in the months to come.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid ‘want to fight’ for the signing of €40m Barcelona midfield target
Atletico Madrid are interested in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and want to fight for his signing in the summer, according to a report from Javi Gomara of Mundo Deportivo. The 26-year-old is also a transfer target for FC Barcelona and several clubs in the Premier League.
Amrabat burst into the limelight after enjoying a stunning run at the FIFA World Cup 2022, during which he helped Morocco reach the semi-finals. The midfielder was heavily linked with an exit in January, with Barcelona, Atletico and several other clubs linked.
However, a move did not materialise and he remained at Fiorentina. However, with his contract expiring next year, the Moroccan international could be on his way out in the summer, even though the Italian outfit are trying to tie him down with a new contract.
And, as per the report, Atletico Madrid are ready to fight for his signing in the summer. The report states that Amrabat is a player that is very well-liked by the Rojiblancos and would be an important cog in Diego Simeone’s side if they sign him.
Amrabat will be playing at the Civitas Metropolitano tonight, with Atletico’s home ground hosting a friendly between Morocco and Peru. And the Colchoneros dream of making the stadium the 26-year-old’s permanent home from next season.
The report adds that the Moroccan international himself would be ‘delighted’ to join the club. After all, he did speak highly of Simeone and Atleti during the World Cup, when he said:
“He has coached Atletico Madrid for many years. I like his style of play. He has won a lot and I have a lot of respect for him. The players in his team are physically strong and aggressive. I like to play that way.”
Atletico Madrid have been linked with Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos, but hold no interest in him. Instead, they wish to sign a player of Amrabat’s profile and quality. However, the 26-year-old will not come cheap as Fiorentina will demand a €40 million fee for him.
Beyond that, the interest of Barcelona and other clubs in the Premier League would also be a roadblock for the Spanish capital club.
