Arsenal are facing up to a huge summer.
The club endured a difficult season in 2019/20, finishing the Premier League season in eighth place.
They were ultimately 10 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and 43 behind eventual champions Liverpool.
The club missed out on the Champions League, of course, but qualified for the Europa League by virtue of their FA Cup victory.
A win over the Blues at Wembley ensured qualification for the secondary European competition thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace in a 2-1 win.
And it seems plans are underway to restructure Mikel Arteta’s squad ready for 2020/21 campaign.
Midfielder Matteo Guendouzi does not seem to be in the Spaniard’s plans, having been exiled from the squad throughout its conclusion.
Following lockdown, the Frenchman did not play after the 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, in which he clashed with compatriot Neal Maupay.
And he now seems set to depart the club.
Football Insider reports that a formal bid has been made for the defensive midfielder by an interested party.
Villarreal have submitted an offer, looking to take him on a loan-to-buy deal.
The Spanish club have appointed Unai Emery as their new manager and he wants a reunion with the midfielder this summer.
Arsenal would prefer to sell him but letting him go on loan would, at least, get him off their wage bill this summer.
Guendouzi has made a total of 82 appearances for the Gunners, scoring once and registering five assists.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Guendouzi is done.
The Arsenal player is clearly out of favour at the north London club and it feels as though they really need to part ways.
The France U21 international has plenty of promise – he’s just 21, after all – and a loan move would make complete sense.
It would allow him the opportunity to continue to develop with some regular football and potentially see his value soar.
If Arsenal can let this happen, and maintain some control over negotiating a fee, then this could be a win-win for the north London club.