KEY POINTS

  • Arsenal is giving away Matteo Guendouzi at a lesser value
  • The rift between Guendouzi and Mikel Arteta is likely beyond repair
  • Pundits believe the Gunner could have gained more from Guendouzi

Matteo Guendouzi may be breathing easily soon with reports that the 22-year-old is nearing a move to French outfit Marseille.

The midfielder spent on loan to Hertha BSC last season, a result of his actions and a falling out with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Guendouzi was imminently rumored to be leaving the Emirates Stadium after he was removed by Arteta from the regular lineup.

The tipping point came last summer when the French footballer got embroiled in an incident that involved Neal Maupay of Brighton.

At the time, Guendouzi grabbed Maupay by the throat after the Gunners fell to the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.

Arteta did not like what had transpired and he had been held out before being loaned out to Hertha BSC.

La Province reports that Guendouzi is nearing a deal to join Olympique Marseille, and it appears both sides have already reached an agreement.

Negotiations are still ongoing although there are claims that the deal will roughly be around £13 million ($18.34 million).

Pundits feel that the Gunners could get more money out of the deal involving Guendouzi, someone that Cesc Fabregas believes has a bright future ahead of him.

But with the Frenchman failing to see eye-to-eye with Arteta, it appears the immediate order of business is to ship him out.

Although some feel that the Gunners are giving way Guendouzi for peanuts, Arsenal will still make a slight profit once both sides sign on the dotted line.

The French player was acquired from FC Lorient for £8 million ($11.29 million) in July 2018.

Matteo Guendouzi of Berlin
Matteo Guendouzi of Berlin Getty Images | Lars Baron

Marseille is reportedly the top choice of Guendouzi, whose contract with Arsenal expires at the end of next season.

Hence, it makes sense that the Gunners want to sell him now rather than see him walk for free by then, L’Equippe reported.

It has been a big turnaround for Guendouzi who made 48 appearances under the watch of Unai Emery during the 2018-19 season.

33 of those were in the English Premier League, and the French national showed signs that he could be the club’s midfield general.

Unfortunately, his emotions got the better of him–something that Arteta and his staff found too much to handle.

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