In the latest Arsenal transfer news, the Gunners have reportedly approached the representatives of Fenerbahce midfielder, Arda Guler.

With an interesting clause in the teenager’s contract and an endorsement from Mesut Ozil, could this be the summer steal Arsenal are looking for?

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)
  • Arsenal reportedly contact Arda Guler’s representatives over a possible summer transfer.
  • Arsenal and Newcastle United are leading contenders for Guler’s signature, with a potential cut-price deal due to a clause in his contract.
  • Mesut Ozil, former Arsenal midfielder and Guler’s teammate at Fenerbahce, labels the 18-year-old as a future ‘world star’.

Guler’s Arsenal opportunity beckons

Fenerbahce's Turkish midfielder Arda Guler (R) vies for the ball with Sevilla's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (L) during the UEFA Europa League last 16 second leg football match between Fenerbahce SK and Sevilla FC at the Fenerbahce Ulker stadium in Istanbul on March 16, 2023. (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
Fenerbahce’s Turkish midfielder Arda Guler (R) vies for the ball with Sevilla’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (L) during the UEFA Europa League last 16 second leg football match between Fenerbahce SK and Sevilla FC at the Fenerbahce Ulker stadium in Istanbul on March 16, 2023. (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

In a move that’s bound to ruffle the feathers of several top-flight clubs, Arsenal have reportedly ‘contacted representatives’ of Fenerbahce’s midfield prodigy, Arda Guler, signalling a possible summer transfer.

The move places Arsenal, along with Newcastle United, at the forefront in the race for the Turkish international’s signature.

Ozil’s endorsement echoes

Fenerbahce's German midfielder Mesut Ozil runs on the pitch during the UEFA Europa League group D football match between Fenerbahce and Antwerp at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, in Istanbul on October 21, 2021. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
Fenerbahce’s German midfielder Mesut Ozil runs on the pitch during the UEFA Europa League group D football match between Fenerbahce and Antwerp at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, in Istanbul on October 21, 2021. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Adding fuel to the speculation, former Arsenal player, Mesut Ozil, who shared the Fenerbahce dressing room with Guler, hailed the young Turk as a potential ‘world star’.

Bargain or bust

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 4: Arda Guler of Fenerbahce is challenged by Lucas Torreira of Galatasaray during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at NEF Stadyumu on June 4, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JUNE 4: Arda Guler of Fenerbahce is challenged by Lucas Torreira of Galatasaray during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at NEF Stadyumu on June 4, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

The youngster’s contract situation at Fenerbahce provides a tantalising twist to the narrative. Guler’s contract has a €30 million release clause, yet a failure to clock 1,500 minutes this season would lower it to a mere €5 million.

As of now, the player has seen 1,459 minutes of play, with one league game remaining.

Securing Guler for a potentially bargain price would be a strategic masterstroke but his club have built up his minutes in the last games of the season, trying to ensure they get the full amount of his release clause.

Guler hadn’t played more than 78 minutes in a game until the end of April when he suddenly began to clock up full 90s.

In the last six games, he has played 90 minutes three times, and 86 once.