Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of signing Real Madrid’s young attacking midfielder Arda Guler have taken a significant hit, as reports reveal both the club’s stance and the player’s own intentions to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Spurs Eyeing Mid-Season Reinforcements
With an underwhelming first half of the season, Tottenham is keen to bolster their squad in January to strengthen their bid for a top-four finish. According to TEAMtalk transfer expert Fraser Fletcher, Spurs are prioritizing a striker and have identified targets like Evann Guessand to enhance their attacking options.
Another reported target for Tottenham has been Real Madrid’s Arda Guler, with Fichajes initially suggesting Los Blancos might allow the 19-year-old Turkey international to leave on loan. However, Madrid has since made a dramatic U-turn, deciding to retain Guler as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team plans for the remainder of the season.
Real Madrid’s Plans for Guler
Guler, a versatile player who can operate both as an attacking midfielder and a winger, has shown immense promise since joining Madrid from Fenerbahce. Ancelotti reportedly intends to provide the youngster with increased playing time in the coming months, seeing him as a vital piece for Madrid’s domestic and European campaigns.
Guler himself is determined to succeed at Real Madrid and has rejected advances from other clubs. Despite initial struggles with game time, he remains committed to making a significant impact at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal and Manchester United Also Disappointed
Tottenham is not the only club feeling the sting of Madrid’s decision. Arsenal and Manchester United had also expressed interest in signing Guler. Reports in November indicated that United was preparing a swap deal involving Antony to secure Guler. Meanwhile, Arsenal had been exploring a loan move, competing with other clubs like Aston Villa.
Madrid’s choice to keep Guler, however, has dashed these plans, leaving Spurs and their rivals to seek alternative options in the transfer market.
Tottenham’s Other Transfer Targets
Beyond Guler, Tottenham continues to pursue several high-profile names. They have been linked with Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni for a summer move in 2025. Bastoni, regarded as one of the world’s premier centre-backs, has attracted Spurs’ interest as they look to strengthen their defence.
Reports suggest Spurs turned their attention to Bastoni after missing out on Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Abdukodir Khusanov. With Everton battling relegation, they have ruled out a mid-season sale of Branthwaite, while Khusanov appears set to join Manchester City in January.
Additionally, Tottenham has shown interest in Barcelona’s Ansu Fati, who is on the periphery of Hansi Flick’s squad. Despite a lacklustre loan spell at Brighton, Spurs believe Fati could offer much-needed depth for the remainder of the season. Barcelona is reportedly open to offloading the Spain international, with Spurs facing competition from West Ham and Besiktas.
Guessand and Jonathan David
Addressing their attacking needs, Spurs have added Nice’s Evann Guessand to their shortlist, according to TEAMtalk. Guessand, an Ivory Coast international, is seen as a promising addition to bolster Tottenham’s firepower.
Meanwhile, Lille’s Jonathan David, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has also been offered to Spurs. The Canadian forward could represent a more affordable option as the club looks for ways to compete on all fronts.
As Tottenham Hotspur faces challenges securing primary targets like Arda Guler, their ability to adapt in the transfer market will prove crucial. Whether through high-profile moves for players like Bastoni and Fati or more immediate solutions like Guessand and David, Spurs must capitalize on opportunities to strengthen their squad and maintain their push for Champions League football.