Arsenal facing huge transfer twist with in form midfielder

Arsenal are in the midst of a midfield crisis, which is remarkable to think when they currently have three of them out on loan at various destinations across Europe.

The club are scrambling to sign a new central midfielder this window on account of their lack of options, with a deal for Arthur being hastily worked on. It’s a move that is agreed between all parties, with Juventus signing their own replacement the only reason it hasn’t been finalised.

Seeing Granit Xhaka sent off against Liverpool has exacerbated an already troublesome issue, as his red card leaves Mikel Arteta with only Albert Sambi Lokonga as a senior option in the middle of the park for the next two matches.

Those away from the club have been mostly forgotten about. Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ loan deal asks numerous questions of Arsenal’s decision making, but Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendzoui are effectively seen as players of different clubs.

Arsenal facing huge Matteo Guendouzi transfer twist as Marseille are handed two window transfer ban preventing them from making signings

Torreira’s fine form for Fiorentina looks set to be warranted with a permanent signing, as all the talk from Italy strongly suggests that the club will take up the option to purchase the Uruguayan for £13m, as per the terms of the loan deal.

The same was expected for Guendouzi, who has been in sparkling form for Marseille this season. On loan with the French side on a deal that includes an option to buy, it is effectively an obligation with all the terms near enough cementing his permanent future with the Ligue 1 side. All parties have expressed their desire to see it completed.

However, there has been a huge twist in the tale with Marseillle.

L’Équipe report that the French outfit have been hit with a two-window transfer ban after the news of Pape Gueye’s four month suspension after signing a contract with Watford prior to his move to Les Phocéens in 2020.

That has cast doubts over a number of Arsenal players, with Guendouzi the standout name. William Saliba, if there were any concerns that Marseille would sign him permanently, is now certain to return to north London at the end of the season, while any move to sign Sead Kolasinac will be ended.

It isn’t entirely cut and dry that Guendouzi will return to Arsenal though, as many will cite Mateo Kovacic joining Chelsea during the Blues’ own transfer embargo when the Premier League side triggered an option to buy clause.

Nonetheless, it puts a twist in the deal that could prove hugely beneficial to Arsenal. Guendouzi has been one of the best players in Ligue 1 this season and his £7m fee is pittance considering the amount of interest there would be in him were he not at Marseille.

He will only have a year left on his contract in the summer, but if Marseille’s ban prevents the club from activating their buy option – which would be permanent based on a number of very achievable targets being met – then there could be greater financial gain to come.

Or, of course, he could be reintegrated. There is that, too.