Bayer Leverkusen is targeting Real Madrid's young star Arda Güler as a potential replacement for Florian Wirtz, who is expected to leave at the end of the season.
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According to Sky Sports, Bayer Leverkusen has taken the first steps toward exploring the possibility of signing Arda Güler from Real Madrid at the end of the current season.
The German club sees the talented Turkish youngster as a natural successor to Florian Wirtz, who is widely expected to leave Leverkusen in the summer. Wirtz, one of Europe’s brightest attacking midfielders, has attracted significant interest from top clubs across the continent, and Leverkusen is already preparing for life after his departure.
Arda Güler, the 19-year-old prodigy, arrived at Real Madrid last summer with much fanfare after making a name for himself at Fenerbahçe. Known for his exceptional technical skills, vision, and creativity, Güler was hailed as one of Turkey's most promising talents in years. His move to Madrid was seen as a statement of intent, with the Spanish giants securing his services ahead of a host of other European suitors. However, his first season at the Santiago Bernabéu has been challenging, marred by injuries and stiff competition for places in Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded squad.
Despite being fit for most of the second half of the campaign, Güler has struggled to find regular minutes on the pitch. This lack of game time has raised questions about his development and his long-term role in Madrid’s ambitious project. While Ancelotti has publicly insisted that Güler remains a key part of the club’s future alongside fellow young star Endrick, who is set to join the squad next season there is growing speculation over whether Güler will be willing to endure another season of limited opportunities.
Bayer Leverkusen, under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, sees an opportunity to provide Güler with the platform he needs to thrive. The Spanish coach, who has turned Leverkusen into one of the most exciting teams in Europe, has built a reputation for developing young talents and implementing an attacking, possession-based style of play that could suit Güler perfectly. Alonso’s tactical approach has elevated players like Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, turning them into highly sought-after stars, and Leverkusen believes Güler could experience a similar transformation under his guidance.
Although Bayer Leverkusen has not yet approached Real Madrid directly, reports indicate that the German club has initiated discussions with Güler’s family and close associates to gauge the player’s interest in a potential move. This approach highlights Leverkusen’s careful and strategic planning, as they aim to secure a player of Güler’s caliber while avoiding direct confrontation with Real Madrid. By building relationships with those close to the player, Leverkusen hopes to position itself as the ideal destination for Güler’s next step in his career.
Leverkusen’s interest in Güler is not without precedent. The Bundesliga club has a proven track record of nurturing young talent and helping them reach their full potential before they move on to even bigger stages. Perhaps the most notable example is Dani Carvajal, who spent a successful season at Leverkusen early in his career after struggling for minutes at Real Madrid. During his time in Germany, Carvajal flourished, becoming one of the league’s standout right-backs and developing the physical and tactical skills that would later allow him to establish himself as a key figure at Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Leverkusen is confident that they can offer Güler a similar environment for growth. The club’s status as one of the Bundesliga’s leading sides, coupled with their consistent involvement in European competitions, provides an attractive platform for young players to showcase their talents. With Wirtz likely to depart, Leverkusen would be able to guarantee Güler the regular playing time he craves, placing him at the heart of their creative play.
For Real Madrid, the situation presents a dilemma. While the club remains committed to developing Güler, they are also aware that loaning him to a club like Leverkusen could accelerate his development in a way that sitting on the bench at the Bernabéu cannot. Madrid has traditionally used loan spells to great effect, with players such as Martin Ødegaard and Brahim Díaz benefiting from temporary moves to gain experience and confidence. However, the risk remains that Güler might prefer a permanent move if he feels his path to regular football in Madrid remains blocked by more established stars.
Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that he values Güler and does not want to see him leave, but the Italian manager also understands the competitive realities of managing a squad filled with world-class players. With Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Federico Valverde all competing for midfield spots, opportunities for Güler could continue to be limited unless significant changes are made to the squad.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Bayer Leverkusen’s pursuit of Arda Güler will undoubtedly be one of the storylines to watch. The German club’s vision, combined with Xabi Alonso’s proven ability to develop young talent, makes it an appealing destination for a player looking to fulfill his enormous potential. At the same time, Real Madrid faces the challenge of balancing Güler’s long-term development with their short-term goals of maintaining a squad capable of competing for domestic and European titles.
For now, Güler’s future remains uncertain, but Bayer Leverkusen’s interest signals a clear intent to provide him with the opportunity to take center stage in a team that values creativity, technical skill, and youth. Whether Madrid will entertain the idea of letting Güler leave on loan or permanently remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the young Turkish star’s talent is too great to be left on the sidelines for much longer.
Updated: 10:44, 10 Dec 2024
