Real Madrid of Odegaard repeat as wonderkid pushes for transfer away

11 Feb 2024 13:56 CST
3 min read

Arda Guler, Real Madrid, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Real Madrid have a host of young talent on their books but the trouble may come in trying to keep them all satisfied, with one of their biggest wonderkids growing frustrated at a lack of game time this season.

Los Blancos pulled off a major coup last summer when they beat a host of their European rivals to sign Arda Guler from Fenerbache for €20 million, however the 18-year-old only made his first appearance for Real last month.

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Injuries have limited Guler just 22 minutes of league football so far, although it has come in Real’s last two games, with the Turkish youngster coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes of the 4-0 win over Girona and winning a penalty during his cameo.

Real are aware that the lack of game time has stunted Guler’s development and he faces the uphill task of trying to force his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans while being significantly behind his teammates in terms of fitness.

Consequently, Real will ‘open the door’ to a loan departure for Guler in the summer, according to Spanish outlet SPORT, who say that Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham are the first to ‘position themselves’ for a move.

The sticking point for Real is ensuring Guler would go to a team that ‘offered the guarantee of playing’, having seen the likes of Reinier, Lucas Silva and Andriy Lunin have loan spells where they did not see much game time.

Arda Guler!
What a player
Wins a penalty pic.twitter.com/LsiHXo1ABz

— TR (@TotalRodrygoal2) February 10, 2024

Guler in danger of following Odegaard example at Real

However, while Real are hoping Guler will return from loan as a player who is ready to contribute to the first team such as Brahim Diaz, the situation could also turn into one like Martin Odegaard, who opted to make a permanent move to Arsenal after making a similar loan departure in search of game time.

Odegaard, like Guler, arrived in Madrid as a teenager with a high reputation but the Norway international struggled to make an impact, only featuring in one league game in his first two years at the Bernabeu.

After spending time at Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad, Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan in 2021 before the transfer was made permanent in 2021 for €40m.

Odegaard has since developed into one of the standout performers in the Premier League, captaining Arsenal in their push for the title, and the frustration with his limited opportunities at Real meant the club were left with little choice but to sell him and live with the regrets.

Guler could find himself in a similar situation, however he is still said to be determined to succeed at Real, having chosen the Spanish giants over every other team, and a loan could be the best way for the forward to fulfil his potential, regardless what club he ends up at.