Arsenal’s reported interest in prising Arda Guler out of Real Madrid in January now looks dead in the water.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has agreed a two-year extension that pushes his existing deal from 2029 to 2031, first reported by Spanish daily AS and since picked up across the European press. The new terms are said to come with a salary rise that reflects his growing status in Jose Mourinho’s squad.

There has been no official announcement from Real Madrid.

A summer approach that went nowhere

Arsenal and Manchester City both spoke to Guler’s representatives over the summer about a possible move to the Premier League, according to the reporting that followed the extension. The player’s camp was told he remained central to Real Madrid’s long-term plans and that president Florentino Perez wanted him kept at the Bernabeu.

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Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were also said to have made contact with the Turkey international’s camp earlier in the year. None of those approaches progressed.

The £90m figure attached to Guler in some British coverage of Arsenal’s interest is not confirmed by Real Madrid. What is on the record is Transfermarkt’s market value, which was raised to €100m from €90m once the extension was reported.

Mourinho’s view

Guler has started five matches this season under Mourinho, who took over at Real Madrid on a three-year deal in June. The AS reporting of the extension carried a glowing assessment from the Portuguese.

“For me, his playing quality is incredible: the vision, the decision-making, the organization of play, the stability he gives the team, the creation,” Mourinho said.

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“He is a player with fantastic potential who already has very interesting numbers, and they are not only assists and goals. They come from a deeper analysis. He’s a young man who has a great influence.”

Guler finished last season with six goals and 14 assists in 40 starts, the top assist tally in the Real Madrid squad.

Arteta looks elsewhere

For Mikel Arteta, the extension closes off one of the names repeatedly linked with a move to north London in the winter window. The Spaniard signed a new Arsenal contract until 2030 on 7 October after guiding the club to the Premier League title last season, and his sides have been short on senior creative options behind the striker.

Real Madrid are not expected to engage with offers for Guler in January regardless of the fee. If Arsenal still want to add in the final third, they will have to look at a different name.

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