Former Newcastle ace suggests Howe may sign ‘one of the best in Europe’ for £17m

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Newcastle United are battling Premier League rivals Arsenal to sign Fenerbahce’s Arda Guler and one former St James Park ace believes the Turkey international ‘will be one of the best midfielders in Europe’. 

Ex-Newcastle playmaker Emre Belezoglu is not the first to make a big claim about teen sensation Arda Guler. 

Former Fenerbahce team-mate Mesut Ozil – after one particularly eye-catching display in 2022 – predicted that the then-17-year-old was well on his way to becoming a ‘world star’.  

Ozil is well-placed to pass judgement. Guler, like the former Real Madrid, Arsenal and Germany string-puller, is an attacking midfielder who prides himself upon his defence-splitting capabilities. Guler even inherited Ozil’s number ten shirt at Fenerbahce when the 2014 World Cup winner announced his retirement recently. 

With six goals and four assists this term, Guler is continuing to develop at a rate of knots in the Turkish capital. And Emre, who enjoyed three separate spells at Fenerbahce in his own playing career before returning to the club as their sporting director, believes the sky is the limit for arguably the most exciting Turkish talent of his generation. 

Newcastle United battling Arsenal and PSG for Arda Guler

“I’ve known him since I played for Fenerbahce,” Emre tells Gazzetta dello Sport. “He was only 15 years old (at the time), but he was very strong.  

“He will be one of the best midfielders in Europe.”

Emre played nearly 60 Premier League games for Newcastle between 2005 and 2008, and compatriot Guler could be about to follow in his Tyneside footsteps.

According to Ajansspor, Newcastle are now in talks regarding a potential £17 million deal. The Magpies may face competition from Arsenal and long-time admirers Paris Saint-Germain, though Eddie Howe’s impressive track record when it comes to developing young talent should stand Newcastle in good stead. 

“I watched two matches of Arda Guler. He’s an excellent player. He will get much better,” explains another former Fenerbahce and Premier League icon; Jay-Jay Okocha. 

“He needs to work hard to become a legend and a hero.

“I can give him this advice; You will also immediately forget every match you played. Every match is a new challenge. He has many years ahead of him.”