Why Arda Guler signed for Real Madrid instead of Barcelona

Arda Guler chose to join Real Madrid instead of Barcelona in part due to La Blaugrana's increasingly unstable financial situation, according to a new report.

Los Blancos brought in Guler from Fenerbahce back in July for a €20m fee, beating a host of top European sides to his signature.

The Athletic report Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all explored moves for Guler, but the most concrete interest came from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Barcelona had initially considered themselves frontrunners to sign the teenager. Though they wanted to thrash out a deal with Fenerbahce that included favourable add-ons, the Turkish side were receptive to Barca's idea of Guler staying with them on loan for another season.

However, Guler wanted to join a club where he would play immediately and he was ultimately put off by Barcelona's off-field uncertainties. Barca were only able to spend €3.4m on transfer fees during the summer window while they have struggled to register players in line with La Liga's salary restrictions over the last few years - a failure which led to Lionel Messi's departure in 2021.

Real Madrid consulted manager Carlo Ancelotti over Guler's demands to play first-team football, and the Italian gave his approval to the deal after speaking to the midfielder himself.

Though Guler's release clause stood at only €17.5m, Real Madrid agreed to pay an initial €20m fee plus add-ons. This was partly due to the insistence of Guler's father, who believed he was worth closer to €30m and wanted to respect Fenerbahce by receiving a more suitable fee.

Guler struggled with knee and thigh injuries during his first few months at Real Madrid before finally making his debut on Saturday night in their 3-1 win at Arandina in the Copa del Rey.

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