Arda Guler’s debut season in La Liga has undeniably been a source of frustration. The young Turkish player, who was signed from Fenerbahce last summer, has encountered difficulties in finding his footing at Real Madrid. Injuries and a lack of opportunities have prevented him from making a significant impact in the Spanish capital.
Guler arrived at Real Madrid with great potential, but his hopes of a strong start were dashed when he had to undergo surgery for a persistent meniscus issue before the season began. Even when he has been fit, manager Carlo Ancelotti has chosen to utilize him sparingly, leading to moments of mounting frustration for the player.
Despite this, Guler is highly regarded at Real Madrid. However, it seems likely that he will continue to receive limited playing time next season due to the competition he faces, which will only intensify with the addition of Endrick Felipe and the expected arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
A loan move could be the most beneficial solution for all parties involved. Fichajes has reported that Real Sociedad is interested in acquiring Guler for the 2024-25 season. Real Sociedad has previous experience in nurturing promising talents from Real Madrid, as demonstrated by their successful loan spell with Martin Odegaard in 2019.
Odegaard’s impressive performance during his time in Donostia-San Sebastian ultimately led to his transfer to Arsenal, where he has excelled in recent seasons. Similarly, a loan move to Real Sociedad could serve as the catalyst Guler needs to establish himself in Spanish football.
There is little doubt that Guler would benefit from a loan move. If he remains at Real Madrid next season, he is unlikely to receive significant playing time due to the presence of several players ahead of him in the pecking order. Therefore, in order to continue his development, it is imperative that he seeks regular playing opportunities elsewhere, as they will be scarce at Los Blancos.
Real Sociedad could benefit greatly from the addition of Guler. With Takefusa Kubo potentially leaving in the summer, Real Madrid could also profit from the transfer due to their sell-on clause. Guler has the potential to seamlessly fill Kubo’s position on the right side of Imanol Alguacil’s attacking trio and could secure a regular spot in the starting lineup, a crucial step in fulfilling his promising talent.
It is uncertain whether Real Madrid will decide to loan out Guler. Recent reports indicate that the player himself prefers to remain at the club, but it may not be in his best interest as he is unlikely to see much playing time in the upcoming season wearing the iconic white jersey.