Arsenal are looking to add reinforcements to all departments of their squad in the summer. The Gunners have now reached the Turkish league in search of talent. Despite having a surplus of young players with exceptional qualities in the team, Arsenal have submitted a bid for Fenerbahce‘s 17-year-old Arda Guler. The teenager plays as an attacking midfielder for the Turkish side and recently made his debut with the senior team. However, the news of Arsenal’s offer for Guler is disclosed by none other than his former coach. Erol Tokgozler who once coached Guler has confirmed the bid made by Arsenal for the Fenerbahce youngster.
Arda Guler is currently enjoying his first-team appearances with Fenerbahce. Guler’s performances have not gone unnoticed since many teams along with Arsenal have registered their interest. The Gunners have gone a step further in launching a bid for Guler, at least according to Tokgozler. Guler has come through the Under-19 set-up of Fenerbahce, making 9 appearances for the senior side so far.
However, according to Tokgozler, Arsenal are not the only ones interested in securing the services of the Fenerbahce player. Tokgozler has also mentioned offers from German giants Bayern Munich. Arsenal may have to indulge in a bidding war with the Bavarians for the signature of the talented Fenerbahce midfielder. Guler’s versatility of playing both as an attacking midfielder or a winger could well be another reason for the big clubs to come calling.
Tokgozler on Arsenal bidding for the Fenerbahce wonder-kid
Guler had caught the attention of Arsenal after his brilliant last games for Fenerbahce. Though he has played only 9 games for the Turkish club so far, Guler has already chipped-in 3 assists. However, those 3 assists have come over 233 minutes from 9 games, meaning an assist every 78 minutes. But Guler’s numbers from his Under-19 games are a testimony to his breakthrough in the first-team. The play-maker has played 30 games for the U-19s, in which he has prolific numbers of 14 goals scored and 7 assisted. Erol Tokgozler was Guler’s coach at the youth level when the midfielder played for Gençlerbirliği. Tokgozler has now revealed the offers Guler is receiving.
Tokgozler said,
“I don’t think Arda will stay in Turkey too long. I know that there are offers from Arsenal and Bayern Munich”. He further added, “With each passing match, the number of these teams will increase. €20-30m for Arda will remain very ordinary.”
If Guler replicates his numbers from U-19s with the Fenerbahce first-team, his value would certainly rise to those figures mentioned by Tokgozler. However, if Arsenal succeeds in snatching the Fenerbahce talent before his market value booms, that would be quite a coup by the Gunners. Arsenal have done a sensational job in recent times in acquiring young talent. Last summer, they spent a total of £150 million on signing six players aged under 24. All have excelled along with academy stars Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Mikel Arteta has done remarkable work with an Arsenal side whose average age is just 24.2. Guler’s development is guaranteed at Arsenal. Moreover, Guler has former Arsenal player Mesut Ozil at Fenerbahce to provide him an insight about the club. But as of now, no other resource has confirmed Arsenal’s offer for Arda Guler other than Erol Tokgozler. The summer transfer market should tell whether Arsenal have submitted a bid for the Fenerbahce teenager or not.
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