Olympique Marseille have confirmed that Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has loaned out and secured the Frenchman’s future from the Gunners for at least another year.
It was previously rumored that the deal would include an obligation for Marseille to make it a permanent transfer next summer, but the Ligue 1 side has confirmed that it is only an option.
Guendouzi spent most of last season on loan in Germany with Hertha BSC, after falling in favor with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Now 22, the Frenchman originally joined Arsenal from Lorient when he was still a teenager and presented 48 times in all competitions during his debut season under Unai Emery. But his chances diminished the following season and it became clear that he had no future under Arteta.
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– Olympique de Marseille ?? ?? (@OM_English) July 6, 2021
A return to France to join an ambitious Marseille side that has already signed American teenager Konrad de la Fuente from Barcelona, Argentine defender Leonardo Belardi from Borussia Dortmund and Turkish winger Cengiz Under from Roma, could be steps that revive his career.
Guendouzi will wear Marseille’s jersey number six, which was previously used by, among others, the French legend and Champions League winner in 1993, Marcel Desailly, as well as Joey Barton.
Marseille finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season, which was enough to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League. They finished second in the final result in 2020, as well as 2013 and 2011, but have not been crowned French champions since 2010.
They and others take hope from Lille who show last season that it is possible to break Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic dominance and win their first title since 2011 against the odds.
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