Barcelona closing in on Arda Guler after positive Istanbul meeting
Barça's sporting director Deco was in Istanbul this week
Joan Laporta acknowledged on 'Onze' on 'Esport3' that FC Barcelona are interested in signing Arda Güler (18 years old) and that Deco travelled to Istanbul on Thursday to negotiate with Fenerbahce.
According to what SPORT have been able to find out, Barcelona are optimistic about the incorporation of the Turkish star after conversations that have taken place in the last few hours. The club is currently in pole position in the race to obtain the services of one of the most promising players on the continent.
The Barça president also made it clear that, if the deal comes to fruition, Güler will join Xavi Hernández's side in 2024. "LaLiga allows us to do operations that don't count for this year," he said. This option fits in perfectly with the plans of Fenerbahce, who are interested in having the young talent for another year. The player's priority, for his part, is to have continuity, which is why he is willing to continue a season in his country to continue to grow professionally before making the leap to the top level.
The three parties reached an agreement in principle on Thursday, with only a few details still to be finalised before it becomes a reality. In no case can the operation be taken for granted, but Barça have made the right moves to be, right now, the most likely destination for Güler, the attacker for whom up to eight clubs -- with Real Madrid and Milan as the most interested teams -- are fighting for. Deco is very close to securing the signing of his first big bet as the club's sporting director.
The satisfaction of the technical secretariat after the latest developments is considerable. Barça are the best placed in the race for Güler and that, considering the extreme competition for him, is great news. The financial situation of the club is still very delicate, but Laporta insisted on the 'Onze' in the discourse he has maintained since returning to the presidency: "All world-class players prioritise Barça." Arda, in principle, will be no exception.
