Rising Star Under Alonso
Turkish prodigy Arda Guler is continuing to prove his value at Real Madrid, prompting the club to trigger an additional €2 million payment to Fenerbahçe after he hit a predefined milestone in appearances for the Madrid side. This milestone reflects the faith placed in him by coach Xabi Alonso and the steady emergence of a player who is quickly becoming a fixture in Madrid’s plans.
The move comes as Madrid’s coach and the board celebrate a young talent who has grown under pressure and opportunity alike, with sources noting one of the deal’s clauses has been reactivated due to Guler’s rapid development. The extra cost underscores how seriously the club is taking his progression and his potential impact for the squad in the coming years.
A Turkish source reported by AS, via Fanatik, that Real Madrid will pay two million euros to Fenerbahçe after Guler reached 75 appearances for the club, a milestone included in the transfer agreement. The piece emphasizes that polishing a talent is akin to refining a diamond: it requires time, resources, and a steady, confident hand from those guiding him.
The Three Milestones and the Next Steps
This clause is structured around three targets: 75, 100, and 125 appearances. Real Madrid would owe a further two million euros at each of the next two thresholds if either is attained. While 125 appearances may seem distant, reaching 100 is increasingly plausible, particularly if Guler maintains his form under Alonso and avoids injuries.
With 27 league matches left and roughly 50 more across the Champions League and domestic cups, Guler would need to feature in about 25 more games this season to unlock the next payment to Fenerbahçe. Previously, the Turkish club had already earned four million euros when he hit his 25th and 50th appearances for Madrid, underscoring the financial architecture behind Madrid’s youth bets.
Whether starting or coming off the bench, Guler has become a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s squad this season, having appeared in all of the club’s 14 league and Champions League matches thus far, totaling 929 minutes. He seems poised to deliver his best season yet, contributing to nine goals so far (three goals and six assists), thanks to his precision and clear understanding with Kylian Mbappe.
Old Faith in Alonso
Alonso’s trust in Guler did not arrive by chance. The Spaniard had admired the youngster long before his move to the Bernabéu and even considered bringing him to Bayer Leverkusen to anchor the midfield. Since Guler’s breakout with Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, Alonso’s conviction in his talents has grown, granting him a larger role and making him one of the season’s most-utilized players, especially among those under 21.
Rotation policies aside, Guler’s prominence has become a technical asset for Madrid and a financial win for Fenerbahçe, as the Turk’s continued development keeps driving the club’s ambitions in Europe.
Movers in the Market
The transfer saga for the Turkish star was one of the marquee battles of the 2023 summer window, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both keen to land a talent lighting up the Turkish league. Guler’s impressive displays and strategic appeal convinced Madrid to move quickly with a financially compelling bid and a plan designed for gradual development in a stable, competitive environment. The player himself also voiced admiration for Real Madrid’s tradition of cultivating young talents.
Ultimately, Madrid sealed the deal, securing a prospect widely viewed as one of Europe’s brightest; Barcelona though, faced a significant setback after being close to signing him. Over time, Guler has proven that the fuss was warranted, showing potential that has Madrid fans dreaming of a future star in both midfield and attack.
Since Alonso took charge, Guler has appeared 11 times in La Liga, scoring 3 goals and making 5 assists; he also played three Champions League matches with a single assist, and six Club World Cup games with a goal and two assists. In short, the Turkish youngster is on track to deliver a historic season for Real Madrid.
As the season advances, Madrid’s faith in Guler looks likely to be rewarded, with the youngster continuing to grow into a pivotal piece of the club’s long-term plans.
Punchline time: If patience is a virtue, Alonso just turned it into a pay-per-goal system—and Guler is cashing in with every milestone. Ka-chow.
Punchline time 2: Real Madrid’s contracts are starting to sound like a savings plan—small installments now, with a shiny future balance of goals and milestones later. Keep the invoices coming, but don’t forget the goals!
