As the 2024-2025 season unfolds, Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly among three clubs expressing strong interest in Real Madrid’s promising young playmaker, Arda Guler. The intrigue surrounding Guler’s potential move to the Premier League is directly tied to the uncertain future of Manchester City’s star midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker, now 33, is in the final year of his contract with City, and his potential departure has prompted the club to begin exploring the market for a replacement.
### De Bruyne’s Future: Contract Renewal in Doubt
According to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist, Sacha Tavolieri, initial talks have taken place between Manchester City and De Bruyne regarding a contract extension. However, Tavolieri’s report adds a significant twist, suggesting that De Bruyne is “unlikely to renew his contract.” Instead of seeking a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, as many European stars have recently done, De Bruyne is reportedly more interested in a transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS), with his family preferring a move to the United States.
The most viable option for De Bruyne in MLS seems to be San Diego FC, a new expansion team set to debut in the league in 2025. For San Diego, signing a high-profile player like De Bruyne would be a perfect way to make an immediate impact in American soccer, drawing global attention to the new franchise. If De Bruyne does decide to head to the U.S., Manchester City will face the challenge of finding a replacement who can bring a similar level of creativity and leadership to their midfield.
### Manchester City’s Interest in Arda Guler: A Rising Star
One of the top names on Manchester City’s radar is Arda Guler, the 19-year-old Turkish international currently playing for Real Madrid. According to Spanish outlet *Fichajes*, Guler is attracting serious interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen. Each club has its own reasons for pursuing the young playmaker, but Manchester City’s interest is specifically tied to the potential departure of De Bruyne. If the Belgian midfielder stays, a move for Guler is unlikely, but if he leaves, City might make a strong push to bring the talented youngster to the Premier League.
Guler, known for his creativity and technical skills in advanced central areas, has struggled to find regular playing time at Real Madrid this season. Despite being highly rated, he has faced intense competition for midfield spots, especially after the arrival of superstar Kylian Mbappe. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has shifted to a 4-3-3 formation, with Mbappe leading the line and Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo occupying the flanks. This tactical shift has forced Jude Bellingham to play a deeper midfield role alongside other top talents like Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, and Luka Modric.
The wealth of midfield options at Ancelotti’s disposal has limited Guler’s opportunities, with the Turkish star logging just 292 minutes of playing time this season. As a result, the prospect of moving to a club where he could play a more prominent role is becoming increasingly appealing.
### A Bizarre Transfer Rumor: Guler and the Juventus Hack
Adding an unexpected twist to Guler’s season, Juventus found themselves caught in a social media storm involving the young midfielder. In a surprising incident, Juventus’ official English-language X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked, leading to a false announcement of Guler’s transfer to the Italian club. The rogue post, which included an image of Guler walking down a runway, declared: “Welcome to Juventus, Arda Guler! The rising star of football is now part of the Juventus family.”
Juventus quickly moved to set the record straight, releasing a statement that their account had been compromised and that the transfer announcement was fake. “Our Juventus English account has been compromised,” the club said. “Please ignore the false information being published on this account. We are working on the issue.” The incident briefly drew attention away from Guler’s limited playing time at Real Madrid, though it did highlight the young playmaker’s status as one of the most talked-about talents in Europe.
### Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen Also in the Hunt
Arsenal, along with Manchester City, is keenly monitoring Guler’s situation at Real Madrid. The North London club is in the midst of a rebuilding phase, focusing on young, talented players who can grow under manager Mikel Arteta’s guidance. Guler’s creative flair and technical abilities would be a natural fit for Arsenal’s attacking style, adding depth and versatility to their midfield.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, managed by former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso, sees Guler as a potential replacement for Florian Wirtz. The German prodigy has been attracting attention from top European clubs, and Leverkusen is preparing for the possibility that he may be poached in the near future. A move to the Bundesliga could provide Guler with more consistent playing time and the opportunity to further develop his game under Alonso’s mentorship.
### Manchester City’s Other Transfer Targets: A Busy Market
While the pursuit of Guler is one of Manchester City’s primary concerns, the club is actively exploring other transfer targets as well. Reports have surfaced that Brighton & Hove Albion might beat City to the signing of Serbian midfielder Andrija Maksimovic. The 17-year-old talent is reportedly leaning towards a move to Brighton, believing that a club with a strong track record of developing young players could offer him a quicker path to first-team football.
City is also linked with Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, a promising Argentine attacker currently excelling on loan at Leicester City. Buonanotte’s performances have caught the attention of both Liverpool and Manchester City, with Brighton setting a valuation of at least €30 million (£25 million) for the 19-year-old.
In addition, Manchester City is considering a move for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro as a potential replacement for right-back Kyle Walker. According to *The Daily Star*, Walker has been transfer-listed, with a £15 million move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli being a possibility. Porro, who has impressed with his offensive capabilities and defensive work rate, is seen as a suitable successor if Walker departs.
### The Road Ahead: Decisions Looming for Manchester City and Guler
As the January transfer window approaches, Manchester City’s interest in Arda Guler will likely intensify, especially if Kevin De Bruyne’s departure becomes more imminent. The club faces crucial decisions that could shape the future of their midfield, with Guler emerging as a key target who fits their philosophy of nurturing young talent. Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen will not make the pursuit easy, but Manchester City’s resources and ambition could give them the upper hand if they choose to make a formal bid.
For Guler, the opportunity to leave Real Madrid for a club where he can be a central figure could be too enticing to pass up. As the transfer saga unfolds, the young Turkish star’s future will be one of the most closely watched stories in European football, with the potential to shift the balance of power among top clubs in the Premier League and beyond.