Arsenal to use Real Madrid Champions League showdown to push for £25m transfer

will use their blockbuster showdown against Real Madrid as an opportunity to initiate talks to sign Arda Guler, it has been claimed. Mikel Arteta's side face Los Blancos in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Guler could be involved for Real Madrid after struggling for game time this season. The 20-year-old has started 12 matches during the 2024/25 campaign, playing just 1,170 minutes of first-team football in total. That, alongside his form, has seen rumours increase over a possible summer exit.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for Guler and has now reported that the club are set to use the Champions League tie as a chance to speak to the Turkey international. It's thought that Arteta has identified Guler as a target for the summer transfer window.

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As such, Mikel Arteta's side are reported to be plotting a £25.6 million bid to prise him away from the Santiago Bernabau. Real Madrid, who signed Guler for £17.1m plus add-ons on a six-year contract in July 2023, may be tempted to cash in and allow him, like Martin Odegaard, to join Arsenal.

Arteta is understood to be a huge admirer of Guler and could get a closer look at the former Fenerbahce midfielder when Real Madrid travel to the Emirates on Tuesday.

Arsenal go into their Champions League quarter-final first leg off the back of a 1-1 draw against Everton on Saturday. Leandro Trossard put the Gunners ahead in the first-half before Iliman Ndiaye levelled from the penalty spot.

While not picking up maximum points was a disappointment, Arteta has turned his focus fast to Real Madrid.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: "8pm tomorrow night, 11 players, 60,000 people, really super convinced that we are ready to win and to beat them. That's the mindset that I want.

"The rest, be the team that we have been the last quarter of the season, with all the up and downs and things that we have to deal with, continue to do that because that's our super strength."

Arteta added: "That's why I came into football, that's why I came into management and especially to this football club.

"It has been 20 years since we had this type of game and for us it's a great opportunity to build our own story and this is what we are here for."

Bukayo Saka, who returned to action last Tuesday after a three-month lay-off due to a hamstring injury, is relishing the chance to go up against Real Madrid.

Saka said in his pre-match press conference: "It would mean a lot to us. It's the first time the club has been in back-to-back Champions League quarter finals for a while now so tomorrow night we want to take the next step and try and get over the line.

"It's Madrid, you have to respect that and accept what they've done in the history but tomorrow anything can happen, we can't focus too much on that."