Real Madrid News
€18m prodigy dreams of Real Madrid, but wants to join a team where he plays regularly
After reports came out on Wednesday claiming that Real Madrid are interested in Fenerbahce prodigy Arda Guler, MARCA has now come out with a fresh update confirming that the Merengues are indeed following the 18-year-old wonderkid.
Guler has been one of the breakout stars in Turkey, having enjoyed an impressive 2022/23 campaign, finishing with six goals and seven assists from 35 appearances in all competitions.
Naturally, he has been attracting interest from several top clubs including the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan. And now, Real Madrid too have emerged as a suitor for the Turkish international with four caps.
If Guler does join the Merengues, the plan would be for him to spend some time with the club’s Castilla outfit before becoming a part of the first-team setup.
However, that is something that not might appeal to the teenage wonderkid.
Indeed, according to Turkish journalist Volkan Demir, while Guler dreams about joining Real Madrid at some time, at this point in his career the youngster wishes to join a club where he can play regularly at the senior level.
Real Madrid have made it a habit to recruit top young talents from across the globe. Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes, and more recently Endrick and Jude Bellingham have ended up signing for the Spanish capital giants.
However, Guler might not follow the same path as he wishes to continue playing regularly. But he does dream about Real Madrid as the next big step in his career.
So, it appears that Real Madrid’s pursuit of the teenage prospect, who has a release clause worth around €18 million, might not yield the desired result this summer.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
