Newcastle United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Arda Guler, who could be available for €5m this summer.

Fenerbahce's Turkish midfielder Arda Guler (R) is marked by AEK Larnaca's Cypriot midfielder Giorgos Naoum during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between Cyprus' AEK Larnaca and Turkey's Fenerbahce at the AEK Arena in the southern Cypriot city of Larnaca on October 13, 2022. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
Fenerbahce’s Turkish midfielder Arda Guler (R) is marked by AEK Larnaca’s Cypriot midfielder Giorgos Naoum during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between Cyprus’ AEK Larnaca and Turkey’s Fenerbahce at the AEK Arena in the southern Cypriot city of Larnaca on October 13, 2022. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

A Spor (via Turkish-Football) report that Newcastle United sent scouts to watch Arda Guler in Fenerbahce’s recent clash with Istanbulspor. Turkish-Football claim Arsenal are also interested in Guler this summer.

According to reports, Guler has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for €5m if he doesn’t play 1,500 minutes of football this season.

Hitting 1,500 minutes looks like a stretch, as Guler would have to play at least the full 90 in seven more games.

That would be all of Fenerbahce’s remaining fixtures, including the cup final they haven’t yet reached – as they play their semi-final next week.

Even then, it would be a close thing, depending on exactly how they calculate minutes played in added time, for example.

If Guler does hit 1,500 minutes, his release clause will go up to €20m this summer, €25m next summer, and €30m the season after.

In his limited game time so far this season, Guler has six goals and two assists, not far off one goal contribution every 90 minutes.

Fenerbahce's Turkish midfielder Arda Guler (C, top) checks on AEK Larnaca's Israeli forward Omri Altman (C, bottom) after a foul during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between Cyprus' AEK Larnaca and Turkey's Fenerbahce at the AEK Arena in the southern Cypriot city of Larnaca on October 13, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images)
Fenerbahce’s Turkish midfielder Arda Guler (C, top) checks on AEK Larnaca’s Israeli forward Omri Altman (C, bottom) after a foul on October 13, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have long been linked with Guler, with one of his former coaches claiming last year that the Gunners had already made him an offer.

For a talented 18-year-old drawing plenty of interest from around Europe, €5m seems like a great deal. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on Guler’s minutes in the remainder of the season.