Real Madrid's Arda Guler is supposedly attracting interest from Eintracht Frankfurt, who are keeping a watchful eye over his playing situation at the Bernabeu.
The 20-year-old has only been sparingly used by Carlo Ancelotti this season and was an unused substitute when Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 battle earlier this week.
Guler has come up with a respectable three goals and five assists in 29 appearances this season, but he has been restricted to a mere six starts in the Spanish top flight and just one in Europe.
Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are Ancelotti's undisputed first-choice attackers, while Brahim Diaz has been given the nod to fill in for Bellingham when needs be.
Guler is still contracted to the European champions for another four-and-a-half years, but speculation over his future is heating up while he only remains on the fringes of Ancelotti's team.
Frankfurt identify Guler as possible summer target?
© Imago
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Frankfurt have been alerted to the fact that the Turkey international is not happy with his playing situation in the Spanish capital and could try to take advantage.
Plettenberg adds that Die Adler are yet to make a 'concrete' decision on whether to pursue Guler this summer, but he is one of their options for the upcoming transfer window.
Frankfurt apparently view Guler as a potential option on the right wing, the position he has predominantly played for Real Madrid when fit this season, although he can also do a job in the number 10 role.
However, the 2005-born attacker is apparently not Frankfurt's number one pick for a new right-sided attacker, as the 2021-22 Europa League winners are instead prioritising a move for Ritsu Doan of Freiburg.
Real Madrid forked out a fee of €20m (£16.8m) to sign Guler from Fenerbahce in 2023, and the Turkey international has registered nine goals and five assists from 42 games in all tournaments for Los Blancos since.
What has Ancelotti said about Guler's situation?
© Imago
For as long as Rodrygo, Vinicius, Diaz and Bellingham are fit and firing, Guler will seemingly always be second choice at Real Madrid, and he is a victim of his teammates' success in that regard.
Ancelotti has inevitably been asked about Guler's lack of playing time in the Spanish capital, amid claims that he and the Turkey international do not always see eye-to-eye.
However, Ancelotti rubbished claims of a "Guler case", although he suggested that "other people" that he spends time with outside of training may not share his point of view on the youngster.
Guler is once again expected to miss out on the starting lineup when Real Madrid continue their La Liga title pursuit against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
