Barcelona waiting on Arda Güler decision, which could arrive on Tuesday

Barring any surprises, the future of Turkey star Arda Güler will be decided soon. The youngster met on Monday with Fenerbahçe president Ali Koç and the Istanbul club's coach Ismail Kartal to communicate what decision he has decided to take. 

Always under the guidance of his father, Arda has serious and succulent proposals on the table from a handful of European clubs. Among them, PSG, Benfica, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. 

In Turkey, they took it for granted that the offer presented in person by Anderson da Souza Deco, Barça's de facto sporting director (not yet official), was the one that most seduced the 18-year-old talent's entourage.

They value highly the effort and the interest of the Catalan club by sending an emissary of the highest consideration to see them.

In addition to meeting with his agents and president Koç, Deco wanted to have a personal meeting with Arda to explain the club's intentions face to face. Among other things, he told him that the idea of spending another year at Fenerbahçe was the one that most appealed, in a clear nod to the Turkish club, of course. 

ONE MORE YEAR

The youngster is looking forward to another season in the Turkish Super League, where he is guaranteed to play a major role. And where he would once again play in European competitions. In fact, the team from Istanbul finished second in the league with 80 points last season, which entitles them to play in the Champions League qualifiers. 

It would undoubtedly be a big step forward for a player who was already an important player last season in the Europa League if Kartal's side could play in the group stage of the continental competition. After finishing the season on 19 June with the Turkey-Wales match, Arda has been disconnecting these last few days. He is known to have been sailing in Mediterranean waters.

In fact, he has been enjoying the high seas on the yacht of Fenerbahçe's billionaire president, Ali Koç, owner of Beko (a well-known household appliance company and former FC Barcelona sponsor).

Fenerbahçe started pre-season on Sunday, but Güler has a few more days of leave (due to having been in the last international window and to resolve his future). Local reports say he could pass the physical tests Wednesday before starting presason.

NUMBERS

Deco's proposal included the release clause for Fenerbahçe (17.5 million euros after reaching 1,500 minutes last season), the training rights to his club of origin, Gençlerbirligi, and a commission for his signing that could amount to 10 million. In this way, the total amount of the operation would not be less than 35 million.

BACKED BY LEGENDS

Not only has one of his footballing idols, Mesut Ozil, praised the young Turkish talent, but other authoritative voices in the country have recently spoken of the diamond in the rough that Fenerbahce have in their ranks. "I have played against great world stars like Ronaldo and Zidane and I have an incredible passion for Arda. He knows the value of every minute he plays," Real Sociedad legend Nihat Kavehci said recently.

Fatih Terim, Turkey's illustrious coach and one of the country's most renowned managers, added: "I told my friend Rui Costa, now president of Benfica, not to even think about it."

Arda Turan, formerly of Barça, said in May that he hopes "Güler's career will be much, much better than mine, because we should enjoy the growth of such an obvious talent."