Man City And Arsenal Receive Answer From Real Madrid Star After Both Initiate Transfer ‘Talks’ – Report
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Real Madrid attacking midfielder Arda Guler has snubbed moves to Man City and Arsenal, according to reports.
TEAMtalk claims that both teams “held talks” with the player’s entourage in the summer to ascertain whether he would be prepared to leave the Bernabeu.
Guler did not provide them with any encouragement at the time, despite the two Premier League teams holding strong interest.
The arrival of Jose Mourinho meant the Turkish international was keen to prove himself to his new manager, and it appears that he has now firmly closed the door to a transfer.
It is believed that Guler has verbally agreed to sign a new contract, ending speculation about his future.
Why were Man City keen on the player?
Guler was a teenage prodigy, and he has been able to develop his talent after his move to Real from Fenerbahce three years ago.
He can be deployed as either a No. 10 or wide on the right, but he has been in and out of the starting lineup over the past 15 months.
Combined with the multiple changes in manager, Guler’s future was uncertain, so City were clearly hopeful of exploiting the situation. Ultimately, though, he has found a spot in Mourinho’s first eleven, having started 6 of the first 10 games this season.
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Maresca already has Cherki and Foden
It could be reasonably argued that Guler would not have had an automatic spot in City’s team even if he had decided to make the switch to the Etihad anyway.
Head coach Enzo Maresca has the likes of Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden who can be deployed in similar positions to the Turkish star. Even so, it looks like he was on the radar of Director of Football Hugo Viana and the recruitment team.