Latest developments
- Arsenal are interested in taking Arda Guler on loan from Real Madrid.
- Los Blancos have changed their stance on the Turkish star, allowing him to go on loan.
- The Gunners face competition from Aston Villa, Milan and Juventus.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Source has “close understanding”
Real Madrid have relaxed their transfer policy surrounding out-of-favour Turkey international Arda Guler and are now allowing him to go out on loan, with Arsenal a strong candidate to take him for the rest of the season.
That is according to caughtoffside.com, who say their source has “a close understanding of the situation”, which is more source information than we usually get!
Value (4.5/5): A low-risk option for the Gunners
Los Blancos will want to the loaning club to pay a significant portion of the 19-year-old's wages, said to be around €5 million per year. Yet, a six-month loan which will cost €2.5 million looks very reasonable for a player who was lighting up UEFA Euro 2024 a matter of months ago.
A loan fee might not be out of the question, though, especially with Aston Villa, Juventus and AC Milan all said to be admirers, too.
Suitability (4/5): Guler a good fit for Gunners
Predominately a right-winger, Guler also features in both attacking and centre-midfield roles for Real Madrid, options he would also be valued in Mikel Arteta's system.
Although he has been struggling recently, he has also proved he can succeed at a big club in a top-five league.
Upgrade? (2.5/5): Arsenal still need more depth
Martin Odegaard may have returned to fitness, but Arsenal still need some more strength in depth if they are to finally win the Premier League.
With Odegaard and Saka in their best positions, Guler would be little more than a rotation option, especially if his form of no goals and one assist in nine La Liga appearances this season continues.
Logic (3/5): Guler might need a reset
Still only a teenager, we cannot expect Guler to show the kind of form he displayed at the back end of last season and at the Euros every single week.
However, he seems to have gone off the boil somewhat, so a short-term move to a new club could be a good way to kick on, yet the possibility of more game time at Villa, Juve or Milan might be more appealing.
Whisper+ verdict: 17/25
There is a lot to like about this deal for Arsenal, who will hope he follows the path of Odegaard, another Madrid loanee who has gone on to do great things at the Emirates.
Guler, though, will not want to spend his loan period sat on the Gunners' bench.
