Real Madrid's Arda Guler was considered by Monchi in the January transfer window
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Arda Guler of Turkey and Real Madrid
Arda Guler of Turkey and Real Madrid(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Aston Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi, recently revealed that he considered Real Madrid’s Arda Güler during the winter transfer window.
In the end, Villa opted to complete the loan signing of Marco Asensio, but Monchi did not rule out pursuing Güler in the future, admitting the young talent possesses characteristics he admires.
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Güler has struggled for game time at Madrid since joining from Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth around €30 million.
In Spain, Güler’s future has become a major talking point, prompting Monchi to address the topic during an interview with Radio Marca on Tuesday night.
“I know Arda Güler well because he is a player that every sporting director has followed during his development in Turkey,” Monchi said.
“And, well, obviously, if he signed with Madrid at the time, it’s because they believed in his potential.
“In January, I thought he was the type of player I typically admire. He met a series of requirements that could be attractive to Aston Villa because we were looking for a player not exactly in the same position as Marco Asensio but with a somewhat similar profile.
“Now, there are players who can operate between the lines, play as a number 10, or even come in from wide areas. But, in the end, we signed Marco.
“For me, he’s a player I like, obviously. The competition at Madrid is very high and, of course, as I always say, Arda Güler needs to play. But who do you remove? [Carlo] Ancelotti can’t play with 12.
“The one who understands this best is the coach, Ancelotti. If he doesn’t give Güler minutes, it’s because he believes another teammate deserves them.
“But personally, I think Güler is a player with excellent technical skills, and he also has personality.
“He shows this when he plays for the Turkish national team, where he takes on roles beyond his age.”
After playing a key part in Turkey’s victory over Hungary earlier this week, Güler addressed his situation in an interview with Marca, emphasising his commitment to Real Madrid: “Real Madrid gave me a plan, and I still believe in it.
"I’m sure I’ll succeed at Real Madrid; I’ve even bought a house in Madrid. I work very hard and I’m always ready to play, as you saw in the match against Hungary.
"I love the Real Madrid fans, and their support means a lot to me. I’m very grateful.
"I came to Real Madrid to play and be an important part of this team. And I won’t stop fighting until I achieve that."
Güler continues to attract interest from clubs across Europe, including Arsenal and AC Milan.
However, it appears that if Villa - or any other club - were to make a move for the 20-year-old this summer, only a loan deal would be feasible, given his clear commitment to Los Blancos.
Should Villa pursue Guler this summer? Have your say here