Arda Güler: Decisive hours in midfielder's future as Barça await his decision

Arda Güler's future could be defined in the coming days days. Or even in a handful of hours. Events have been moving fast. Especially in the wake of Deco''s timely, calculated and who knows if definitive visit to Istanbul last week. 

Barcelona's still unofficial sporting director wanted to get personally involved to close a deal that the club considers a priority for their medium and long-term future. President Joan Laporta acknowledged during a visit to the supporters' clubs of Castilla La Mancha that they are negotiating with Fenerbahçe for Güler and that many teams in Europe want him. On TV3, he acknowledged that they are considering his arrival for the 204-2025 season -- a strategic incorporation.

Barring any surprises, this coming week will see the closing of one of the portfolios that serves as the start of a summer window that, once again, is expected to be very exciting -- and not only in Barça terms. The club continues to be hamstrung by financial constraints and, although the exit operation is beginning to take shape after the release of Samuel Umtiti, there are still more moves to come. 

Arda Güler, who is still only 18 years old, has been a full international four times and last season was one of Fenerbahce's leading lights. He has already made 51 appearances at elite club level, which for such a young player is a magnificent indicator of the impact of this left-footed player with a prodigious shot and great vision. 

SHORT BREAK

After finishing the season on 19 June with the Turkey-Wales match (including scoring a stunning goal), Arda is on holiday. In fact, he is enjoying his time at sea on the yacht of the billionaire president of Fenerbahce, Ali Koç, owner of Beko (a well-known household appliance company and former FC Barcelona sponsor). 

Both Güler and his father have a very close relationship with Koç. The Güler family has been in a classic holiday destination in the Turkish country, Bodrum, for a few days now. A paradise in the southwest of Turkey, in the middle of the Aegean Sea. And a regular resting place for celebrities from those parts. 

Deco's visit to Turkey to meet with Arda's agents and the president of Fenerbahce included a personal meeting with the player. This was appreciated by both the boy himself and his father. In fact, Güler's father is a very important part of the equation for the youngster's future. 

DECISION SOON

The offer presented by the Barça's sporting director (along with the relevant commissions) convinced the Fenerbahce delegation. As we commented in SPORT last week, his signing was left 'tied down,' although the final verdict and the definitive agreement has yet to be reached. And several big clubs from the old continent are still pushing for his signature. For example, Real Madrid could use the Roberto Carlos factor, former player of the Turkish club, as a measure to change the course of negotiations. 

In any case, reports from Turkey report that the young star will meet today with his coach at Fenerbahce, Ismail Kartal. Kartal, who has a long history in Turkish football, took over from Jorge Jesus at the helm of the Istanbul outfit in January and has renewed his contract until 2024.

In fact, Fenerbahce started preseason this week, albeit without Güler and the other internationals who played with their national teams until late June and have permission from the club to stay away for longer. That meeting with Kartal and president Koç will be decisive regarding Arda's final verdict. If there are no further developments, he will make his decision official on Tuesday 4 July. Barça, as we have been telling you, are well on the way to winning the race.