Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain ‘put offers on the table’ for £17m midfielder

Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly stepped up in their interest in highly-rated Turkey midfielder Arda Guler by submitting official bids with Fenerbahce.

The 18-year-old has become one of the main talking points of the summer transfer window after he was linked with a whole host of clubs on the back of an impressive season with the Istanbul-based club. Guler scored six goals and provided seven assists in 35 appearances in all competitions and helped Fenerbahce to a 2-0 win over Basaksehir in the Turkish Cup Final last week, setting up his side’s first goal for former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

Guler has already earned two senior Turkey caps after following up a debut against the Czech Republic last year with a substitute appearance in a Euro 2024 qualifier defeat against Croatia in March. The youngster will hope to add to his caps when his side face travel to Latvia on Friday night before hosting Wales on Monday.

Speaking earlier this week, Fenerbahce president Ali Koc gave an insight into the midfielder’s future and revealed discussions were planned to take place on what could lie ahead.

After reports of interest from several of European football’s biggest clubs, he told Turkish-Football: “We will hold talks with Arda Guler’s father this week. We do not want to sell him, but there are offers. We will make a decision over his future after talking with his father over the next few days.”

Turkish outlet FotoMac have now claimed Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain have submitted official offers worth in excess of €20m (£17m) for Guler - although the report also states Fenerbahce are keen to retain the services of the midfielder for ‘at least one more year’. Dutch giants Ajax are also said to have made an offer for the talented youngster but the report revealed their bid ‘lags behind’ those from Newcastle and PSG.