Arsenal are reportedly ready to offload Matteo Guendouzi to Olympique de Marseille, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The 22-year-old joined the north London club back in 2018 for £7.2 million. The midfielder enjoyed a promising debut season at the Emirates Stadium but things have gone downhill since.
The Frenchman had fallen out with Mikel Arteta during the 19/20 season and was sent out on loan to Hertha Berlin last season. The midfielder made 82 appearances in all competitions for the north London club, scoring a solitary goal.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Guendouzi is set to join Olympique de Marseille and a deal will be finalized next week. The youngster had an offer from Benfica, but the midfielder prefers a move to the French club. Romano said:
“Mattéo Guendouzi will join OM from Arsenal – agreement to be completed next week, Guendouzi turned down Benfica bid after as he only wants OM.”
Mattéo Guendouzi will join OM from Arsenal – agreement to be completed next week, Guendouzi turned down Benfica bid after as he only wants OM. 🇫🇷 #OM
Final details then it’s gonna be signed – same for Saliba on loan as @David_Ornstein revealed.
Ünder and Pau López, done deal. https://t.co/mX5ndnA9Xm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2021
French journalist Mohamed TOUBACHE-TER has claimed that the 22-year-old will join the Olympians on loan with an obligation to buy. The initial loan fee will be €1 million and €11 million more will be paid at the time of permanent purchase.
Arsenal Fever View:
The decision of taking a step forward from Lorient to Arsenal has proven to be too much for Matteo Guendouzi. The managerial changes at the Emirates club did not help the youngster either.
Adapting to a different environment was also troublesome for the young man. Following a good season in the second division of French football, producing the same at one of the biggest clubs in the world is a huge ask from a teenager.
Meanwhile, the midfielder did not get the required protection from the senior colleagues or the coaching staff. The 22-year-old should have been nurtured more and given less exposure.
He started the journey in the Premier League quite promisingly, but when he needed a proper guidance to take his career forward, the midfielder made a huge mistake of falling out with the manager. This move is in the best interest of both parties and the midfielder might find his feet at Ligue 1 once again, but he should learn from his mistakes and rebuild his career.
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