Fenerbahce’s Mourinho eyes Arda Guler return as Real Madrid frustrations grow
Arda Guler struggles with limited playtime under Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti, sparking interest from Fenerbahce's Mourinho for a potential January loan, October 9, 2024. (Created with Canva)
Arda Guler, the talented 19-year-old footballer from Türkiye, is reportedly considering leaving Real Madrid after struggling to secure enough playtime this season.
Guler, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 for $22 million, has reportedly become frustrated with his limited role under coach Carlo Ancelotti. This has led to speculation about his future as Fenerbahce’s Mourinho seems to be calling him back home.
Arda Guler’s frustrations over limited playing opportunities at Real Madrid
Despite his significant potential, Guler has found it difficult to earn regular minutes on the pitch. This season, he has appeared in 10 matches, accumulating only 291 minutes of playtime.
Guler has yet to contribute a goal or assist, which may explain why Ancelotti has been hesitant to feature him more prominently. During a recent press conference, Ancelotti commented, “It’s not easy for Arda because there is a lot of competition. He’s playing more than last year, but the competition for a starting spot is intense.”
Guler’s frustration with his limited opportunities has reportedly led him to lose confidence in Ancelotti’s plans for him. Marca recently reported that Guler is now considering his options, with a loan move being a likely scenario. While Real Madrid still values the young player, Guler’s dissatisfaction could push him to seek more playing time elsewhere.
Fenerbahce’s Mourinho shows interest in Guler’s return to Türkiye
Guler’s former club, Fenerbahce, has expressed interest in bringing him back to Türkiye during the January transfer window. Fenerbahce’s sporting director, Mario Branco, has reportedly made contact with Real Madrid to discuss a possible loan deal. Additionally, Fenerbahce president Ali Koc may personally intervene to persuade Guler to return to the Super Lig.
Earlier this season, Jose Mourinho also tried to secure Guler on loan for Fenerbahce. However, Real Madrid declined the offer, believing Guler would benefit more from continuing his development in Spain. Now, with Guler reconsidering his future, Fenerbahce may have a stronger opportunity to bring him back to Türkiye.
Arda Guler tops list of most valuable Turkish footballers
Despite his current struggles, Guler remains one of the most highly valued footballers from Türkiye. The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) recently named him the most valuable Turkish footballer, with an estimated market value of $80.5 million. This puts him ahead of Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz, valued at $68.9 million, and Benfica’s Orkun Kokcu, at $47.5 million.
Top 10 most valuable Turkish footballers:
- Arda Guler (Real Madrid) – $80.5 million
- Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) – $68.9 million
- Orkun Kokcu (Benfica) – $47.5 million
- Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter) – $44 million
- Kerem Akturkoglu (Benfica) – $39 million
- Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton) – $34.3 million
- Semih Kilicsoy (Besiktas) – $30.4 million
- Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray) – $28.9 million
- Can Uzun (Frankfurt) – $22.1 million
- Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim) – $16.6 million
As the January transfer window approaches, Guler’s next move remains uncertain. Whether he stays to fight for his place at Real Madrid or returns to Türkiye with Fenerbahce, his future will be closely watched by fans and clubs alike.
