Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a surprise January move for a Real Madrid star which could be a huge coup.
Back in 2021, the Gunners did business with Los Blancos when they brought in Martin Odegaard on loan. The Norwegian had failed to impressed at the Santiago Bernabeu after Real fended off a number of leading European clubs for his signature and it looked like he was on his way to becoming another failed wonderkid.
And after just nine appearances in the first half of the 2021/21 season, the Stromsgodset youth product was loaned out again - this time to Arsenal.
Odegaard found his feet in North London and later signed permanently for £30 million before becoming the club's captain and one of the top playmakers in the world.
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It appears as though Mikel Arteta is looking to replicate the deal, with Sport reporting that Arsenal are keen to do a deal for Real starlet Arda Guler in the middle of the season.
The 19-year-old signed for Real for €20 million in 2023 but has struggled to nail down a first-team spot under Carlo Ancelotti, playing just 24 times out of a possible 48 games he was available for.
Although he is contracted until 2029 and seen as a future prospect, Guler is said to have grown unhappy with his situation and Arsenal are among a slew of sides who are monitoring proceedings very closely and have spoken to his entourage.
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Ideally the Turkey international would prefer to succeed at Real but he has cause to think about his predicament and Arsenal are prepared to open the door if he does decide he needs to continue his career away from the Spanish capital.
Guler showed his quality at Euro 2024, scoring and assisting to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as the three players to do so at the Euros while still a teenager.
Topics: Arsenal, Real Madrid
Josh Lawless