Fabrizio Romano suggests £15m player would rather move to Spain than join Liverpool now

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Reported Liverpool target Arda Guler is prioritising a move to the Spanish La Liga if he leaves Fenerbahce.

Guler is one of the top young talents around Europe, with plenty of clubs said to be on his trail this summer. Liverpool are one of the many credited with an interest in the 18-year-old, who has a release clause of just £15m.

Speaking on his YouTube channel today, journalist Fabrizio Romano offered an update on Guler’s current situation.

“At the moment, from what I’m hearing on Arda Guler’s side, they want to consider all the possibilities,” Romano explained. “They want to speak with many clubs and so nothing has been approved yet. Also Fenerbahce are really pushing to have the player at least for one more season, before letting him go in summer 2024.

“Barca have made a verbal, but concrete proposal, concrete bid to Arda Guler. They presented the project for the future, but they also presented a kind of bid to the player.

“At the moment it was just a conversation on the player’s side to present the project and to present a bid to the player. Now let’s see what Guler will decide because it’s true that many clubs want him. I can say that, from what I understand, the Spanish league, La Liga, is the priority for Arda, but let’s see how that will go.”

Liverpool step away from Guler chase

Looking at the lay of the land, you’d have to say that the chances of Liverpool signing Guler look close to nil.

Coupled with Romano’s La Liga claim, reports surfaced this week that the Reds have actually stepped away from talks to sign the Turkey international.

Although he may have a low release clause, it seems that add-ons such as agents fees are set to bloat the package. Feeling that the overall cost will be too much, Liverpool are claimed to have ended negotiations with Guler.

Whether they intend to come back is anybody’s guess. But with the likes of Barca and Real Madrid sniffing around, maybe it’s best to call it a day.

Given Guler’s potential, that might sting a bit for Liverpool. They still have work to do in the transfer market though, so best not to get hung up on a player who probably wouldn’t arrive for 12 months anyway.

Instead, the Reds must go full steam ahead to finalise their midfield rebuild. One more addition is perhaps needed, and we could do with another defensive option, too.

In that climate, Guler is not a necessary signing. There’s little doubt that he’d be a good one, but for now, we’d expect the big boys in Spain to slug it out between them for him.