Barcelona president Joan Laporta says that the Catalan outfit have been "following" Fenerbahce attacker Arda Guler "for a long time".

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that the Catalan outfit have been "following" Fenerbahce attacker Arda Guler "for a long time".

The 18-year-old is widely expected to leave his Turkish club during this summer's transfer window, with a number of leading European clubs said to be interested in his signature.

There is allegedly a €18m (£15.5m) release clause in Guler's contract, and Laporta recently said that Barcelona were looking to bring him to Camp Nou.

The La Liga club's new sporting director Deco travelled to Istanbul on Thursday, but Real Madrid are also believed to be firmly in the running to secure his signature.

Laporta has said that Barcelona's scouts have been "following him for a long time", with "many big clubs in Europe" keen to sign him during the summer market.

"He is a very young player, it is true that our scouts have been following him for a long time and many big clubs in Europe want him. We are talking to Fenerbahce," Laporta told Mundo Deportivo.

Guler, who came through the youth system at Fenerbahce, has found the back of the net on nine occasions in 51 appearances for his current side, in addition to contributing 12 assists.

Last season, the teenager featured on 35 occasions, scoring six goals and registering seven assists, including four goals and four assists in 20 Super Lig appearances.

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the youngster, but it does appear that Barcelona and Real Madrid are currently at the head of the queue for his signature.

There have been suggestions that Guler could remain on loan at Fenerbahce during the 2023-24 campaign, with Barcelona covering his wages.

Xavi's side have already made one signing this summer, with Ilkay Gundogan arriving on a free transfer from Manchester City.

There are yet to be any first-team sales in the current market, but Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti have left the club on free transfers.

Barcelona made an attempt to re-sign Lionel Messi following his release from Paris Saint-Germain, but the Argentina international has agreed to make the move to Inter Miami.

Ferran Torres is currently being linked with a move away from the club, although the Spaniard has said that he wants to stay at Camp Nou amid interest from Aston Villa. body check tags ::

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