Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is close to ending his time at the Emirates, according to reports.
The Frenchman’s future has been the subject of speculation and debate in recent seasons, but it appears he is close to finalising a move that will see him end his association with the Gunners very soon.
The 22-year-old was signed by Arsenal in 2018 and was an integral part of Unai Emery‘s side, where he made 57 appearances.
The £17m deal would help the Gunners for Martin Odegaard and Emiliano Buendia transfer, which require in the range of of £60million.
But since clashing with Neal Maupay in a 2-1 loss to Brighton in Mikel Arteta‘s first season at the club, the midfielder’s Arsenal future had looked buried. The club made it clear that he does not feature in their plans going forward, and parting away from the Emirates Stadium would the best option for the Frenchman.
Despite making the most of a season-long loan to German side Hertha Berlin where he made 24 appearances and scored two goals, Arsenal are reluctant to welcome Guendouzi back, paving the way for other clubs to try to snap up the midfielder.
According to the French news channel Footmercato.net, Marseille are leading the race for Guendouzi’s signature.
After finishing in fourth place in the French League, the Ligue 1 side qualified for the Europa League and are looking to bolster their midfield, having sold Morgan Sanson to Aston Villa in January.
The France Under-21 international is seen as a tough-tackling midfielder who can control the tempo of the game and create opportunities for others to thrive. But an attitude problem has been his greatest undoing so far in his career, with his coaches at his former sides Lorient and Arsenal complaining. If he can put an often fiery temperament to good use, he is certain to maximise the enormous potential that the Frenchman has.
