Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made it known that negotiations are underway with Fenerbahce regarding the potential transfer of young prodigy Arda Guler this summer. The announcement comes amidst reports linking the 18-year-old forward with a move to Arsenal, as the Gunners aim to strengthen their squad swiftly.

Guler, who has already made a name for himself in the first team, is attracting interest from top European clubs during the ongoing transfer window. In the previous season, he amassed an impressive 35 appearances across all competitions, including nine matches in the Europa League and one in the Champions League qualification.

Such has been the remarkable start to his career that Guler has also been given the opportunity to represent Turkey at the international level. With four caps to his name and a notable run in the Under-21 European Championships over the summer, expectations for his future are soaring.

Comparisons to former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi have been drawn due to Guler’s exceptional ball skills, which bear resemblance to Messi’s playing style. The young talent has garnered several nicknames, including the “next Lionel Messi” and the “Turkish Lionel Messi,” further fueling the pursuit of his signature.

Although reports suggest that Arsenal currently hold an advantage in the race for Guler’s signature, the presence of Barcelona and Real Madrid adds another layer of intrigue to the competition. Laporta, Barcelona’s president, has confirmed that discussions have already commenced with Fenerbahce as they explore the possibility of securing the talented forward’s services.

As the transfer saga unfolds, it remains to be seen which club will ultimately secure the signing of Arda Guler and witness his potential blossom on the grand stage of European football.