Xabi Alonso eyes loan deal for Real Madrid's Arda Guler

Guler, 19, joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023. His first season in La Liga proved challenging as injuries and fierce competition for starting positions limited his playing time. Despite these hurdles, Guler managed to make 12 appearances in all competitions, starting five of those matches.

When given the chance, Guler showcased his potential in the iconic white jersey of Real Madrid. He netted six goals in 10 La Liga matches, five of which came in Los Blancos' final six fixtures of the season.

On the international stage, Guler shone for Turkey during Euro 2024. He scored a spectacular goal in a group-stage victory over Georgia and provided two assists in the knockout rounds, helping Turkey reach the quarter-finals.

Despite these achievements, Guler's future at Real Madrid looks uncertain. He has been included in the squad for their pre-season tour in the United States, with the first friendly against AC Milan set for August 1.

However, with attacking stars like Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Endrick, and Kylian Mbappe vying for positions, Guler faces an uphill battle to secure regular playing time.

This situation has opened the door for a potential loan move, with Xabi Alonso keen to bring the young talent to Bayer Leverkusen.

According to Sport, the Bundesliga champions have expressed serious interest in Guler, although they might face competition from AC Milan, who had shown interest in the Turkish star earlier in January.

Real Madrid, who invested around €20 million in Guler and tied him down to a contract until 2029, are reportedly considering the possibility of a loan move. However, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's manager, previously indicated his desire to keep the versatile attacker.

As the transfer window progressed, Guler's immediate future remains uncertain.