United ready to spend big to sign Real Madrid youngster compared to Messi – report

Manchester United have set their sights on signing Arda Guler from Real Madrid, as per reports.

United have often received criticism for their abysmal squad planning. Things appear even more bleak when their transfer business is compared to the likes of Real, who have replaced their ageing stars, including Casemiro and Raphael Varane, with some of the best young talents in Europe and South America.

Los Blancos are as good as ever, challenging for the biggest trophies on a regular basis, and their squad is filled with highly-rated young players. However, this approach has hampered development of several youngsters at Santiago Bernabeu.

Guler is one of the players who has suffered immensely, having struggled to start regularly under Carlo Ancelotti.

The Turkey international drew comparisons to Lionel Messi after breaking through at Fenerbahce. His close control and dribbling ability led to a transfer battle between Europe’s biggest clubs before Real secured his services in 2023.

The 19-year-old primarily functions as a right-winger but he faces competition from Rodrygo, who is one of the best players in Europe in his position. The Turkish sensation could also play as a number 10, but Ancelotti is blessed with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric in that area of the pitch.

This situation has led to Guler making just six stars in La Liga, sparking concerns over his long-term future in the Spanish capital.

Manchester United interested in Real Madrid talent Arda Guler

According to Fichajes, the attacking midfielder is willing to explore different possibilities in search of more gametime.

The Spanish outlet add that United are one of his suitors and have shown “strong interest” in luring him to Old Trafford. It is understood that the Red Devils could be “willing to pay a significant amount of money” to sign Guler from Real.

However, the Mancunians’ inability to guarantee Champions League football could put them behind the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race for the Turkish prodigy.

If United can convince Guler to join their ranks, they will be handing Ruben Amorim an exceptional talent who would be an ideal option to play the wide playmaker role in the Portuguese’s 3-4-3 formation.

His ball-carrying, tendency to drift inside from out wide, and link-up play could prove to be a turning point for United’s toothless attack.