Arsenal are lining up a £35million bid for a Real Madrid star who has struggled for game time under Carlo Ancelotti this season, according to a report.
After cruising to a 3-0 win over Los Blancos in the mid-week, the Gunners are seemingly also looking to raid Madrid in the transfer market.
It is no easy task to break into Madrid's starting XI as a new signing, as the Spanish giants have world-class depth in almost every position.
Arda Guler has experienced these struggles since arriving at the Bernabeu from Fenerbahce in 2023 as one of Europe's most talented teenagers.
It hasn't quite worked out for the 20-year-old as he has struggled to break into Carlo Ancelotti's first team.
In light of his limited game time, Arsenal have identified an opportunity to swoop in for Guler and give him the opportunity to unleash his potential, just like they did with Martin Odegaard in 2021, according to The Sun.
This campaign alone, Guler has only started seven matches in LaLiga across, used predominantly as a late substitute in matches for Madrid.
Guler has tallied 1,171 minutes this campaign, averaging 34 minutes per game.
The starlet has also scored just one goal across 29 appearances in all competitions for his club this season.
Back in November, many Spanish outlets reported that Guler is unhappy with his playing time at Madrid and is on the radar of several top clubs across Europe.
When Ancelotti was questioned on Guler's limited playing time back in February, the Italian tactician provided a cryptic response where he seemingly hinted that the Turkish star was not surrounded by good influences.
'Real Madrid is the best team in the world, filled with top-level players. Everyone knows competition here is fierce,' Ancelotti said.
'I want my players to be happy when they play, but those who want minutes must work hard and learn. I don't spend much time with Arda.
'He spends more time with others. I don't know if they share my perspective. Are they aligned with me on what he needs to do? I don't know. That's a communication issue.'
If they were able to get a deal over the line, Guler would be Arsenal's first signing under new sporting director Andrea Berta, following Edu's exit from the Emirates last November.
It was believed that Arteta's side were considering several options for the role, such as Dan Ashworth, Roberto Olabe, Thiago Scuro and former midfielder Tomas Rosicky.
Edu was heavily criticised over the last few years for not signing a proper No 9, but Guler's arrival hardly solves that issue.
The Gunners are thought to be interested in signing either Newcastle's Alexander Isak or Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres up front.