Fenerbahce starlet Arda Güler is a target for a host of clubs, with LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona leading the race to sign him.

Barça chiefs flew to Istanbul last  week in a bid to seal a deal for the  18-year-old attacking midfielder,  who has won four caps for Turkey.

Headed up by new technical director Deco, Barça offered to pay Güler’s €17.5m ($19m) release clause and loan him straight back to Fenerbahce.

Meanwhile, Madrid will reportedly send Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos - a former Fenerbahce  player - to Turkey for transfer talks. 

Madrid’s intention is to send Güler  out on loan, before adding the youngster to their first-team squad.

This isn’t Barça and Madrid’s first tug-of-war over a top prospect. Before joining Los Blancos in 2014, Marco Asensio almost moved to Catalonia.

However, Barça were unwilling to pay a €4m ($4.3m) transfer fee to sign  the winger from Real Mallorca - and bought Douglas Pereira instead.

On other occasions, Barça have  beaten Madrid to the punch. In 2016, the Blaugrana secured André Gomes’ signature ahead of their rivals.

Landing Gomes at Madrid’s expense was seen as a major victory for Barça  at the time - but the ex-Valencia midfielder proved a Camp Nou flop. 

Now, Güler is set to choose between  a move to Barcelona or Real  Madrid. The teenager is expected to make his decision very soon.