Bellingham's return at Real Madrid could pave the way for exciting Arsenal transfer

Robin Bairner

• 26 Sep 2025 08:00 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Arsenal could rekindle an old transfer move thanks to Jude Bellingham’s return to fitness at Real Madrid.

Bellingham is back on the field for Xabi Alonso’s side after summer surgery, with the 22-year-old England star having featured twice off the bench following a shoulder injury.

But the return of the Stourbridge superstar has put doubts in the mind of Arda Guler, who was previously a target for Arsenal.

Compared

Jude Bellingham 

AM (C), M (CL)

Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham 

AM (C), M (CL)

Real Madrid

VS

Arda Güler

AM (C), M (CR)

Real Madrid

Arda Güler

AM (C), M (CR)

Real Madrid

€143.7M	ETV	€53M
€129.3M - €158M	ETV Range	€47.7M - €58.3M
22 years old (29 Jun, 2003)	Age	20 years old (25 Feb, 2005)
England	Nationality	Turkey

According to El Nacional, Guler is fearful that his first-team minutes are slashed due to Bellingham's return.

The Turkey international has started the season in sparkling form for Los Blancos, chipping in with two goals and two assists in six matches. Indeed, he has a direct goal contribution in each of his last four La Liga starts.

Should he fail to get the minutes he hopes for, Arsenal are likely to examine the situation.

Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier this month that Guler is a player that Mikel Arteta’s side admire and even tried to sign.

"Arsenal considered the possibility of going for Guler last season, if Carlo Ancelotti stayed at Real Madrid and in case that maybe they opened the doors to the exit of Guler in a similar situation to Martin Odegaard in the past," Romano said on his YouTube channel.

Having been given a taste of regular first-team football at the Bernabeu, Guler will be eager for more and should it fail to materialise, he will reconsider his future.

Real Madrid planning to ‘invest’ in Arda

Xabi Alonso is working to keep the 20-year-old happy. After Guler’s error cost Real Madrid the opening goal in their 2-1 Champions League win over Marseille, the former Liverpool midfielder talked of the importance of putting faith in the former Fenerbahce youth.

“What I said at the Club World Cup about investing in Arda makes even more sense now,” Alonso said. “Arda had more touches on the ball than he should have, and that’s why the mistake happened. It’s not a problem. He’s worth it and on the right path. I’ll say the same about [Franco] Mastantuono. I think he will do well; he had his chances.”

Guler’s minutes may be reduced due to Bellingham’s return, but Real Madrid’s attitude is very much about retaining the youngster. Arsenal are there, though, if there is any hint that the youngster may be available.

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