Arsenal: Hertha Berlin make Matteo Guendouzi transfer decision

Matteo Guendouzi had hoped to resurrect his young career in the German capital when Hertha Berlin took him off willing Arsenal hands for the entirety of the 2020/21 season. It hasn’t been as anyone would have planned.

Getting him out of London Colney was Mikel Arteta’s wish last summer: here, there, anywhere.

With no willing buyers – shock horror – at the big asking price that the Gunners slapped on his head, a loan move to a mid-table Bundesliga side was as good as it got for the Frenchman. Recovering from COVID-19 to find himself in the Hertha engine room, all initially appeared to be going well for the midfielder.

He started 13 consecutive league fixtures for the side, scoring twice and garnering some glowing reviews from the club’s hierarchy. At this stage, hopes of a long-term stay at the club or, even better, boosting interest from across Europe to hike up his price were looking promising.

Hertha Berlin make Matteo Guendouzi transfer decision as loan from Arsenal expires in summer

That’s all tailed off as, you guessed it, concerns over his attitude and commitment have been brought to light. For that reason, BILD have revealed that Matteo Guendouzi has ‘no future’ at Hertha Berlin beyond his current contract.

It’s added that after his positive start to life at the Olympiastadion, Guendouzi is now ‘conspicuous’ for his ‘theatrical appearances’. Talks over a potential permanent deal have been put to rest, a decision that has been described as ‘unsurprising’.

As for Guendouzi, he is said to favour the appeal of the Premier League over the ‘chaos’ at Hertha, an understandable position but one that might be a tad rich given his own track record.

The timing of the report coincidentally comes just days after the 21-year-old stated that he can see himself having a future at Arsenal beyond the summer.

"“No, not at all [is his future over at Arsenal]. I’m focused on my season with Hertha. Then, I’ll have to sit down with my entourage and people at the club to think about and discuss the future. I’m still an Arsenal player,” he said."

Whoever signs the France Under-21 international will do so knowing the baggage that comes with it. Arsenal’s task will be finding the club who can see the diamond for the rough and convincing them it’s worth their price.

Turns out Arteta was right. Who’d have thought?