Matteo Guendouzi looks set to leave Arsenal this summer.
The France international is reportedly looking for a way out of the club after growing tired of a lack of playing time under manager Mikel Arteta.
That was reported last week, with the midfielder making just four starts in the Premier League since the Spaniard’s appointment.
It appears that Guendouzi is not a key part of his plans, as he was not in the squad to face Southampton last week, or to face Sheffield United in the FA Cup over the weekend.
The Daily Mail now reports, as a result, that Arsenal are attempting to gauge interest in the 21-year-old ahead of any potential swap deals this summer.
The club are not likely to have a huge budget in the transfer window, particularly as they are poised to miss out on Champions League football.
Arsenal are attempting to find out whether clubs would be interested in taking the midfielder on, allowing the club to potentially recruit the players they want in the window.
It remains to be seen if any clubs will be willing to do business but the Mail reports that Guendouzi was wanted by a clutch of clubs before he joined the Gunners from Lorient in 2018.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This may not be the worst idea in the world.
If the Gunners are determined to move Guendouzi on, and it certainly appears that Arteta has grown weary of him, then this could be the best way of doing it.
It means that Arsenal may be able to sign a player in return, and also inflate their transfer budget in a specific deal.
Swap deals are rare, of course, and there is a reason for that, because of how complex and difficult negotiations can be.
But if they can pull this off, it would be the best way to lose Guendouzi, if such a scenario exists.