Barcelona President Joan Laporta admits the Catalans are in talks with Fenerbahce for Arda Guler as Real Madrid and AC Milan are angling for the Turkish starlet.

Guler has been likened to Lionel Messi innumerable times over the past year. The youngster is regarded as one of the most talented players of the next generation, and it is no surprise that top European clubs are lining up at his doorstep.

Barcelona are one of the teams interested in the prodigy with Laporta even confirming the same publicly. As mentioned by the club president, the aim is to bring the player next summer with Deco already in talks with his entourage.

Multiple sources in Italy claim Milan have been scouting the promising attacking midfielder for a long time, but Barcelona have now taken concrete steps towards the player’s signature.

“Deco was in Istanbul. Now, La Liga allow us to carry out the operations that do not count for this year,” Laporta told Esport3 on Friday, as quoted by Football Espana.

“Our scouting department was following him. We also have Deco’s opinion. We are trying to complete the deal.”

As per reports relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are set to make an official move for the 18-year-old sensation.

The decision comes after it was revealed that Barcelona had sent their delegations to try to convince the player to move to Camp Nou.

As part of Real Madrid’s approach, they will club legends send Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos, who played for Fenerbahçe for three years during the latter part of his career, to Turkey.

Real Madrid’s interest in Guler is firm, but the reported interest of Barcelona and even Milan is going to be an issue. At the moment, they are trying to find a formula to get the player into the first team this summer.

He has a release clause worth €17.5 million, but Barcelona are ready to pay €22 million for hin, the same as Milan. So if Real Madrid really want to sign him up, they will have to exceed that figure.

Tags: Arda Guler, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid