Monchi reveals Aston Villa interest in signing £17m Arsenal transfer target | Football

Aston Villa’s sporting director, Monchi, has confirmed the club would be interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler.

The 20-year-old, who joined Madrid for an initial €20 million (£17m) fee from Fenerbahce in July 2023, is currently struggling for playing time under Carlo Ancelotti.

Arda was Turkey’s talisman at Euro 2024 last summer and was expected to make more of an impact at Madrid this season, however, the midfielder has started just 10 of Madrid’s 47 matches this term and has made a further 20 appearances from the bench.

Reports in Spain claimed that Arsenal made an approach for Arda ahead of the January transfer window but the midfielder has been adamant about seeing out the rest of the campaign with Madrid.

Villa, meanwhile, strengthened significantly in the January window with their three loan movesfor Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi, while Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia joined on permanent deals.

Monchi, however, has revealed that Villa remain in the market for a new attacking midfielder and believes Arda fits the club’s profile.

‘I know him well because he’s a player that every sporting director has followed in his career since Turkey,’ Monchi told Radio Marca.

‘He’s a player who met a number of requirements and could be attractive to Aston Villa because we were looking for that position.

‘It’s not the same position as Marcos Asensio but we’re more or less looking for that profile between the lines who can play as a No.10 and who can even play on the outside while coming in.

‘Personally, I think he’s a player with very good technical skills, and I also think he has personality – he shows it when he plays for the national team. There, he takes on roles that aren’t associated with his age.’

Speaking last week, Arda was asked about whether his is happy with his current situation at Madrid.

‘Personally, my only desire is to play in every game and help my team win every title,’ the midfielder said.

‘Real Madrid gave me a plan and I still believe in it.

‘I’m sure I’ll succeed at Real Madrid, I’ve even bought a house in Madrid.

‘I came to Real Madrid to play and be an important part of this team. And I won’t stop fighting until I achieve that.’

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