As transfer rumors and operations begin to catch momentum, FC Barcelona are determined on their own end as well to wrap up a signing that could be a potential world-beater in the near future.
The signing in question is that of 18-year-old Turkish wonderkid Arda Guler, who currently represents Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce.
The attacking midfielder’s representatives are in constant contact with Barcelona higher-ups and as club President Joan Laporta also recently confirmed, “Deco (soon-to-be Sports Director for FC Barcelona) is currently working on Arda Guler’s signing.”
However, as is being reported by the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, there are at least five different obstacles currently in the way of Barcelona and their young Turkish target. Those five in question consist of both sporting and economic issues yet to be addressed, and are as follows:
The player’s release clause:
The release clause of the 18-year-old is reportedly set at €17.5 million. For Barcelona, addressing this sum may not be the biggest of issues to tackle, but they are met by other elite European clubs just as keen on paying it and acquiring the talent for themselves.
European competition:
Speaking of other European clubs, Barcelona faces stiff competition for the signature of the player from teams across Europe. From those in Spain in the form of arch-rivals Real Madrid and Sevilla, from Italy in the form of AC Milan, from Germany and France with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, and lastly from England in the shape of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle United.
Immediate European involvement:
Another hurdle that the Catalans must overcome is the player’s sporting importance within the team. With the player’s agents affirming that he wishes to no longer stay in Turkey next year and play in top European divisions, Barcelona are in contention as they are aiming to sign him from 2024 onwards rather than this summer.
First-team demands:
Moreover, the player and his representatives demand first-team involvement, rather than be counted in the subsidiary or any similar youth faction of any interested club. Something that Barcelona will somehow have to guarantee the player as well.
Hefty commission:
Lastly, there exists the alleged involvement of a €20 million commission fee requested by the representatives of the player as per journalist Matteo Moretto.
However, this particular alleged commission is something that the player’s entourage has explicitly denied being involved in his transfer.
