Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s €20 million new recruit to cut short vacation, and join training today – report
Real Madrid’s depth in midfield heading into the new season is staggering. Carlo Ancelotti is flooded with quality names all around him, and it can only be a good problem for him to have.
However, the availability of such diverse options to the coach turns on the heat for the players. After all, the competition could turn ruthless as the season progresses and it is inevitable that some will be benched.
Arda Guler is the latest entrant to Los Blancos’ midfield, arriving from Fenerbahce in a deal worth €20 million plus add-ons.
At just 18 years of age, he is seen as one to lead the team for the decades to come. Yet, the youngster is determined to waste no time in being incorporated into the starting lineup.
According to reports from Roberto Morales, Guler has informed Real Madrid that he will end his vacation early so as to join training sessions from day one. He is expected to link up with the team today and wants to win a spot under Ancelotti immediately.
He will thus join the nine first-team players slated to begin later in the day and will complete the full pre-season preparations under Carlo Ancelotti and Raul Gonzalez.
Real Madrid only play their first game of the preparatory phase in 14 days, and the rest of the squad is expected to join directly in the United States of America days before the clash against AC Milan. Thus, it is not surprising that Guler values a headstart to establish himself in his new environment.
The 18-year-old scored four goals and provided three assists for Fenerbahce in the Super Lig last season. Moreover, he averaged a stunning two key passes per game and created seven big chances.
With Carlo Ancelotti open to changing the team’s formation, it remains to be seen where he positions the Turkish star.
In a season where Real Madrid have largely struggled to keep pace with leaders Barcelona, Arda Guler has been one of the few bright sparks.
Despite his limited minutes, the Turkish international has shown that he is capable of becoming a first-team regular for Los Blancos, especially at a time when others, including Vinicius Jr. are struggling to make an impact.
Guler was notably named in Real Madrid’s five-player star of the month for September and the player could soon be rewarded with a contract extension as well.
New contract for Arda Guler
According to AS, Guler has agreed terms for a new deal at Real Madrid, in what could be the club’s first major renewal for the new season.
The young Turk’s current deal at the Bernabeu expires in 2029. But the renewal will ensure his future at the club at least until 2031.
The new contract will effectively acknowledge Guler’s growing role in the Real Madrid first-team and include a salary-increase.
The negotiations between the two parties had started last month and has now come to fruition, with Guler more than happy to continue his chapter at Real Madrid.
He also joins a long list of Real Madrid players with long-term contracts, including Yan Diomande, Vinicius Jr., Marc Cucurella, Aurelien Tchouameni and others.
An important season ahead
With the contract likely to be finalised soon, Arda Guler’s main goal will be continue to his form when the season restarts next weekend.
The forward has been involved in four goals in seven matches this season. With Vinicius and Diomande struggling for form, the Turkish international will have an excellent opportunity to become a regular starter for Jose Mourinho throughout the course of the campaign.
Mourinho, for his part, must identify how to get the best out of both Guler and an in-form Jude Bellingham. If the two can somehow work together in the final third, Real Madrid could find themselves dominating most matches.
