Arteta makes ‘final decision’ to end two Arsenal careers; three more could follow
Mikel Arteta has come to a ‘final decision’ on the futures of two stars that will see them leave Arsenal for good, though they could swiftly be followed by three more out the exit door, per a report.
Arsenal bolstered their squad with six new faces all under the age of 24 in the summer. However, moving current stars the other way on permanent deals proved a trickier task.
While the likes of Willian and David Luiz left as free agents and a host of stars accepted loan deals, just Joe Willock was sold on a permanent basis.
That has left the Gunners squad bloated, and the Daily Express claim Arsenal have decided to sever ties with two stars.
Citing Football London, they claim Matteo Guendouzi is highly unlikely to return from his loan spell with Marseille.
The combative midfielder, 22, is impressing on loan in Ligue 1. However, the signings of Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga, combined with Granit Xhaka’s presence ensure there is no place for the Frenchman.
Guendouzi’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign. Nonetheless, the outlet state Arsenal are in line to receive £9.5m from Marseille’s obligation-to-buy when the season concludes.
It is a similar story for defender Konstantinos Mavropanos. The Greek international saw his loan spell with Stuttgart extended for a second year this season.
He too has no route into Arteta’s plans following the summer arrivals of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
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As such, his temporary stay in Germany will become permanent to the tune of £2.5m at season’s end – assuming Stuttgart avoid relegation.
Arsenal are therefore in line to recoup around £12m, though three more sales could soon follow.
The article reveals the futures of Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira and William Saliba are all up in the air.
The trio are all currently on loan to Real Betis, Fiorentina and Marseille respectively. Fiorentina reportedly hold a £12.8m option to make Torreira’s stay permanent, while Bellerin and Saliba would be down the pecking order if they were to return to north London.
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Meanwhile, former Liverpool player Steve McManaman feels Arsenal should pull the trigger on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deal, as he is “without a doubt” worth £35million fee.
Despite being hampered by injuries, Steve McManaman feels a deal for the Englishman would be a no-brainer. Oxlade-Chamberlain has drawn tentative links with the Gunners with game-time increasingly difficult to come by at Anfield.
“I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is easily worth the money,” he said via football.london.
“He did have that bad injury for Liverpool a couple of years ago against Roma and he was out for a long time. But sometimes that happens. Since then he’s been fit and well. He came on against Watford and played.”
Liverpool apparently want £35million for Oxlade-Chamberlain – the same figure they forked out in 2017. McManaman feels that is a reasonable fee for the midfielder.
“If he wants to leave and play first team football that’s entirely up to him. The question is, is he worth that kind of money? And the answer is yes, without a doubt,” concluded McManaman.
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