Arsenal agree to bargain Matteo Guendouzi transfer

A deal in the pipeline for some time has finally been agreed by all parties as the curious case of Matteo Guendouzi will end with the Frenchman leaving Arsenal for Marseille on an initial loan deal.

It’s a headline that will be repeated numerous times across this summer transfer window with different names. European football clubs are feeling the pinch and hopes of receiving immediate fees for players will fizzle out if they haven’t already. Konstantinos Mavropanos was the first one.

Arsenal are looking to sell at least three of their midfielders this summer as Granit Xhaka edges closer to moving to Roma, a deal that will be accelerated following Switzerland’s heartbreaking exit from the European Championships.

Lucas Torreira will also follow suit with Lazio the leading contenders to seal his signature, another deal that is almost certainly set to result in Arsenal receiving cash further down the line.

Arsenal agree to bargain Matteo Guendouzi transfer with Marseille on initial loan deal – and midfielder is someone who won’t be missed in north London

Now, finally, Guendouzi will also be making way. The fee in question, however, will not please many.

As per numerous outlets in France, as well as Charles Watts, an agreement has been reached for the 22-year-old to join Marseille on a season-long loan that will include a mandatory purchase option at the end of the season.

The fee in question is a woefully small amount regardless of the financial issues plaguing Europe. Hovering at a €1m loan fee with the purchase fee sitting at a measly €11m. It’s not a lot.

€12m equates to little over £10m, a full £20m less than some of the numbers being flung around in the previous summer when Arsenal attempted to flog him off.

To have had this young talent heralded as being one of the next best things – he’s the captain of France’s outstanding Under-21 side – leave for a fee that is just £3m more than what Arsenal paid Lorient for him will instantly bring criticism onto Mikel Arteta and co. It shouldn’t.

There are plenty of thick sticks to beat Arsenal with, but this is not one of them.

Guendouzi’s value has taking a significant hit (Arsenal wanted £17m at the start of the window) because of what the Frenchman has done, above all else. His attitude everywhere he’s been has caused unrest, with Arsenal getting him in the first place because Lorient ran out of patience.

He is his own worst enemy.

Continued…