Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler is edging closer to his heavily delayed debut for the club after months of injury setbacks since his summer transfer from Fenerbahce.
Madrid paid over the odds to land Guler, going slightly above the €17.5m release clause in his contract with the Turkish giants. But the 18-year-old has been plagued by fitness trouble since pre-season, with his most recent setback coming after Carlo Ancelotti had declared him fit.
Guler was sent home prematurely from Madrid’s pre-season tour of the United States for treatment on a knee injury. He was then available to make his debut in last month's La Liga clash with Las Palmas, only to suffer a frustrating thigh muscle problem that ruled him out again.
At last, however, it appears that the teenager is getting to where he needs to be.
The Athletic reported that Guler took part in and completed team training on Monday. He wasn’t able to train at the same pace as David Alaba, who was also making his return from a smaller injury layoff, but such news is a hugely positive step nonetheless.
Although hypothetically injury-free and therefore available for Madrid's La Liga clash with Sevilla on Saturday, it is suggested that Guler will require more time to build his fitness. He has never kicked a ball on the pitch for Madrid – even in pre-season – and his last appearance of any kind for was Turkey in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Wales in June, which is now four months ago.
Guler chose to join Madrid over fierce rivals Barcelona in the summer. Chief scout Juni Calafat played a major role in that decision being made, as was similarly the case with Jude Bellingham.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Arda Guler edging closer to heavily delayed Real Madrid debut.