According to transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, Newcastle United are one of the clubs keeping tabs on Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler ahead of the January transfer window.
Newcastle United have had ambitions to become a European powerhouse since their Saudi-led takeover in 2011 and despite restrictions on their attempts to build a super squad have already achieved Champions League qualification under new ownership.
The Magpies finished fourth in the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign, beating Liverpool to the spot on the most prestigious stage of European football, but that dream come true for the Geordies was short lived.
While memories were made with an incredible away day for fans at the San Siro and an unforgettable victory over Paris Saint-Germain at St James’ Park, an appetite to push on and consistently compete with the elite has grown ever since.
Last season, the Tyneside giants were unfortunate to miss out on Conference League qualification after Manchester United won the FA Cup which meant their seventh place finish above the Red Devils amounted to nothing more than a domestic achievement.
Building a high quality squad with experience of not only qualifying, but playing in European competition will be essential for Newcastle to compete every season for a spot, and there is plenty to be addressed in terms of first team improvements when the January transfer window opens.
Transfers reporter Graeme Bailey has taken to X to claim that Newcastle are one of the clubs monitoring Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler’s situation, as he is struggling for game time in the formidable side:
“Exclusive: Arda Guler is growing frustrated at Real Madrid.”
“Sources have informed TBR Football that Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle are all actively keeping tabs on the Turkey international as he grows concerned by a lack of game time.”
Will Newcastle sign Arda Guler?
It is no secret that Newcastle have been struggling to grow into games and have been abysmal in converting their goal-scoring opportunities this season, so a fresh perspective in the attacking threat would be a huge addition in January.
It was reported this week that the club are prioritising the recruitment of a right winger who can add more quality and goals to the front three, with Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy lacking the quality and direct approach needed to win games comfortably.
Guler is one of the most exciting prospects in European football at present, but at Los Blancos is finding it difficult to gain Carlo Ancelotti’s confidence which is translating in the amount of game time he is currently being given.
Despite only playing 732 minutes for Madrid since joining in the summer of 2023, the 19-year-old right winger has scored six goals in 23 appearances, averaging a goal contribution every 122 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.
Not only that, the Turkish sensation – once dubbed “special” by Ancelotti – ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers per 90 minutes played for non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions, shots on goals, pass completion, clearances and tackles, displaying his diverse set of skills that would make him an absolute weapon for Howe to unleash.
It is unclear as to whether Real Madrid would be willing to part ways with their young talent in the January transfer window, and although they only paid around £17m for his services last year, it would be expected that only a very lucrative offer would be entertained.
With that being said, if Newcastle could overcome their competitors for the signing of Guler, there is no reason why he couldn’t become a generational addition to the forward line and lead them to success in their ambitious project.
