Italian giants AC Milan are apparently eyeing a potential loan deal for Real Madrid teenager Arda Guler.
Los Blancos fended off a host of interested parties to sign the 18-year-old from Fenerbahce in the summer, paying €20m (£17.4m) for his services on a six-year contract.
However, Guler is yet to make his competitive debut for Carlo Ancelotti's side due to injury, having sustained a knee problem in pre-season which required surgery.
As the Turkey international was closing in on a comeback, Real Madrid announced that he had sustained a fresh thigh injury at the end of September, which he is yet to recover from.
Guler's concern prevented him from linking up with the Turkey squad for October's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia, although he was able to take part in full training in midweek.
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A debut should therefore not be too far away for the midfielder, although it remains to be seen whether he will be considered fit enough for Saturday's trip to Europa League winners Sevilla.
Regardless of his fitness levels, Guler is facing an uphill battle to dislodge Ancelotti's more experienced midfield options in Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos.
Real Madrid chiefs still have high hopes for Guler's future, but according to Fichajes, Milan are keeping a close eye on his situation and could try to swoop for the 18-year-old in the near future.
The Rossoneri are supposedly working on a loan offer for the teenager in the January transfer window, which would include an option to make his stay permanent at the end of the 2023-24 season.
However, neither Real Madrid nor Guler are expected to entertain any proposals from Milan, as the Turkish protege is determined to prove his worth to Ancelotti after an injury-hit start to his Blancos career.
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Nevertheless, Milan will monitor Guler's minutes once he returns to full fitness and could attempt to lure him to Italy with the promise of regular game time if he finds himself struggling for action at the Bernabeu.
Prior to making his marquee move to Real Madrid, Guler registered nine goals and 12 assists in 51 matches for Fenerbahce and scored his first goal for Turkey in a Euro 2024 qualifying win over Wales back in June.
Alongside the 18-year-old, Ancelotti also had David Alaba in full training on Monday as he works his way back from an adductor injury, but ACL victims Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are still a long way off from a first-team return.
Los Blancos have won eight and lost one of their opening nine La Liga fixtures to sit top of the table, two points clear of second-placed Girona and three better off than holders Barcelona.
Ancelotti's side have also overcome Napoli and Union Berlin in their opening two Champions League matches and will meet Braga next Tuesday following their trip to Sevilla.
Ben Knapton
