Barcelona President Confirms Talks For 18-Year-Old Gem: “Following Him For A Long Time”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club remain in talks with Fenerbahce for the signing of Turkish sensation Arda Guler.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder is one of the most wanted young talents in Europe currently, with Barça among a host of elite clubs targeting his signature.
Laporta had confirmed that Barcelona held an interest in him during an interview earlier this week, while also revealing that Deco had flown to Turkey to make progress on the transfer.
Now the Barça supremo has gone on to acknowledge that many clubs in Europe are interested in Guler’s signing and that the La Liga champions are also locked in talks with Fenerbahce to clinch his signing.
“He is a very young player, it is true that our scouts have been following him for a long time and many big clubs in Europe want him. We are talking to Fenerbahce,” Laporta said.
Guler has a release clause in his contract with Fenerbahce which stands at €17.5 million. The Blaugrana are willing to meet that figure but would prefer to make payments in instalments.
Given the financial situation at the club, Guler’s arrival is being planned for next year with the midfielder signing now and spending the next season at Fenerbahce on loan, with Barcelona covering his wages.
Meanwhile, talking about the success that Barcelona enjoyed across the board, Laporta said: “Winning six league titles in one season with six professional teams is a great source of pride.”
About the upcoming campaign and the transfer plans, he added: “We also have the viability plan approved by La Liga. We want more. We are not satisfied with this and we have to make the leap to Europe and that is why we are reinforcing ourselves.”
Laporta also touched upon UEFA not sanctioning Barcelona over the Negreira case allegations, saying: “We are satisfied because the UEFA investigators have seen no reason to leave us out of the competition.”
