Fenerbahce whizz-kid Arda Guler has made the club’s president Ali Koc ‘angry’ after ditching Barcelona in favour of linking up with their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The Super Lig heavyweights appointed Ismail Kartal as their new manager on Wednesday, with Koc taking the opportunity to show his anger after the 18-year-old ruined his plans.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Fenerbahce chief was seemingly disappointed with Guler’s decision to turn his back on Barcelona and broker a move to the Santiago Bernabeu instead.
Koc had an agreement with the Catalan powerhouse that would have allowed the Yellow Canaries to hold on to their prodigious forward for another season on loan.
The newly-crowned La Liga champions were ready to let the sought-after youngster stay at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for another year to continue his development.
Barcelona’s proposal was music to Koc’s ears, only for Guler to blow everything up at the last moment by opting to join Madrid due to Los Blancos’ plans to incorporate him in the first team from the get-go.
Fenerbahce even accepted Barca’s payment formula, which would have seen the forward’s transfer fee paid over several instalments so the Spaniards could comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
Guler had other ideas. Seduced by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for Carl Ancelotti’s side, the prodigious Turk had no doubt – he only wanted Madrid.
Los Merengues will trigger the teenager’s €17.5 million release clause to make him the latest generational talent to don the coveted white shirt.
Florentino Perez’s transfer policy has taken a U-turn in recent years as he has abandoned old habits of signing senior stars to pursue the world’s finest talents.
Starting with the acquisitions of Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo, the Spaniards have switched their focus to young prospects.
Aurelien Tchouameni joined this prosperous group last summer, while 19-year-old Jude Bellingham arrived from Borussia Dortmund in June.
