Olympique Marseille are closing in on a move for Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, according to reports in Foot Mercato.
The 22-year-old spent the season on loan with Hertha Berlin after falling out with Mikel Arteta last season. He was an integral part of Unai Emery’s team but the Frenchman never managed to start week in, week out under Arteta.
The heated exchange between him and Neal Maupay, in the clash against Brighton, was the final nail in the coffin. Having contributed just 5 goals in 24 appearances for Hertha Berlin this season, the German side are not keen on retaining Guendouzi.
However, the midfielder has caught the eye of some clubs around Europe with Olympique Marseille being the latest one to show interest. The report in Foot Mercato claims that the French club are in advanced talks to complete a transfer deal for Guendouzi.
Marseille have not filled the void left by Morgan Sanson who joined Aston Villa last season and the French club believe that the midfielder can make vital contributions in their quest for Champions League football. The midfielder is keen on working with manager Jorge Sampaoli and has been assured that he would play an important role in the team.
Guendouzi is currently out of action following a metatarsal fracture in his right foot sustained during Hertha’s win over Freiburg earlier this month. Speaking about the midfielder, Hertha sporting director Friedrich said:
“He led the boys. He played very, very good games and always gave everything for the club. But the fact is that he does not belong to Hertha and is going back.”
AF View
The Gunners are planning a rebuild this summer. Arteta has got plenty of options in midfield and a part of this process will be to cut the numbers down. The revenue generated through player sales could dictate the extent of the rebuild.
The French international is out of contract next summer and this would tempt the north London club to cash in on the midfielder. They paid £7m for him back in 2018 and would look to get at least double that sum.
In his early months at the Emirates, the 22-year-old was considered a long-term solution but unfortunately, things have gone downhill and his time at the club seems to have come to an end. With the Frenchman no longer in Arteta’s plans, it would be in the best interest of both parties to go their separate ways.
