Real Madrid are reportedly making every effort to win the race to sign Fenerbahce youngster Arda Guler.
Despite having only turned 18 years of age in February, Guler has already established himself as a key player at the Turkish giants.
Nine goals and 12 assists have come from his 51 appearances in the first team, form which has inevitably led to him being linked with a transfer to a bigger club.
While the teenager is not short of admirers, it recently became apparent that Barcelona were pushing hard to secure a deal for the versatile playmaker.
President Joan Laporta revealed that the Catalan giants have been holding discussions with their counterparts at Fenerbahce in order to finalise a deal.
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However, given Barcelona's well-documented financial issues and their desire to get a deal for Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque over the line, it remains unclear whether signing Guler is realistic this summer.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Real are bidding to edge out their El Clasico rivals with an offer that exceeds Guler's alleged release clause.
Los Blancos are reportedly prepared to pay in the region of €20m (£17.1m) to get a deal over the line as soon as possible, with Real said to be expecting such a proposal to be accepted.
Furthermore, Yeni Acik and Mario Cortegana say that Guler is ready to accept a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu over moving to La Liga champions Barcelona.
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Should a transfer be finalised, it would represent a major coup for Real and Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently lacking a centre-forward that he would consider to be first choice.
Although Joselu has arrived on loan from Espanyol, there is a desire to add further options in the final third, and Guler is capable of playing as a number 10 or on the right flank.
Such has been Guler's progression that he has already made four appearances for Turkey, recently netting his first international goal in a Euro 2024 qualifier with Wales.
Despite alleged interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in the past, neither of those three clubs have been credited as admirers since the end of the season.
Darren Plant
