How Turkish delight Arda Guler became Real Madrid's main attraction

The immense talent of Arda Guler was well-known in the Turkish Super Lig last year, but he was hardly a prominent name elsewhere.  

The teenager, who was at Fenerbahce, made just 20 league appearances for the club in the 2022/23 season before landing his move to Real Madrid. 

Indeed, it surprised many when last summer it was announced that the 19-year-old penned a six-year contract following the triggering of his release clause with an initial payment of €20m. 

In fact, it was €2.5m over the amount needed to seal his move, but Guler requested that Real Madrid pay a bit more to provide Fenerbahce with more funds. 

Such a move speaks of a youngster with unbridled confidence in himself, and with his recent displays for the La Liga giants; you can see why. 

Arda Guler Transfer Value - how much is he worth now?   

According to FootballTransfer's Player Valuation Model, Guler has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of  €14.9m, while we have him as being the fifth most valuable Turkish player in the world.  

His value has increased by about €5m since joining Real Madrid last year. 

What does Arda Guler bring to the table?   

When he signed for Real Madrid, all eyes were on the teenage sensation at one of the most prestigious clubs in the world - not least because few knew what to expect. Unfortunately, multiple injuries delayed his debut until January - but it was worth the wait.  

Guler has a natural instinct for finding the net. Even in the short space of time at Real Madrid, this is clear. Over two seasons with Fenerbahce, he scored nine goals in 51 games, playing either in a two-man strike partnership or as an attacking or central midfielder. Since joining Real Madrid, he has netted six goals in 10 league games, with most of his appearances coming from off the bench. 

Guler's dribbling skills are outstanding, too. He excels at drawing in defenders, swiftly changing direction, and gliding past opponents, all by using his low centre of gravity and impeccable ball control. His passing ability is exceptional as well, being able to make precise short passes or find his teammates from range. 

Guler is a complete playmaker, and what’s remarkable is that he has yet to reach the peak of his development. According to WhoScored, Guler attempts 5.3 dribbles per 90 minutes, successfully completing 2.7 of them. He shoots 3.6 times per 90 minutes, with half of those shots coming from outside the box. Additionally, he makes a key pass every other game. He is deemed to be ‘very strong’ at holding on to the ball, taking set pieces, and, of course, dribbling. 

The teenager’s potential fit at Real Madrid is promising. The club's shift towards a youth-oriented approach, with the likes of 20-year-old Jude Bellingham now a major part of their plans, provides an ideal environment for his development. 

Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti and the mentorship of experienced players, Guler can thrive and refine his skills, both on the pitch and in training. His left-footed abilities complement Madrid's attacking options, particularly on the right-hand half-space, where he truly excels. His versatility to play as a No.10, No.8, or a deep-lying playmaker offers Real Madrid great options across the frontline. 

Like with most younger players, there are concerns about his stature and physical strength, but at the moment, his positional awareness compensates for this. Guler is not just a technical player but also an intelligent one.  

This beginning between the club and player spells what should be a brilliant future and proof that Real Madrid can find players to help evolve their project that are not necessarily Galaticos. This shrewd investment in young talent such as Guler and Endrick, as well as the inclusion of the likes of Kylian Mbappe, should see them continue to pick up countless pieces of silverware.

This article was provided by FootballTransfers