LIGUE 1 club Marseille are reportedly on the verge of a deal for Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.
Mikel Arteta sent the Frenchman out on loan to Hertha Berlin after a falling out at Emirates Stadium.
But he is not set to return to North London and SunSport revealed earlier this year that he is among the players Arsenal want to cash in on.
According to Le10Sport, the Gunners are in advanced talks with Marseille over the sale of Guendouzi.
The 22-year-old is out of contract in 2022 yet should still bring in a reasonable transfer fee having cost Arsenal £7million in 2018.
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Guendouzi played 24 times in a year-long stint with Hertha that did not pass without controversy.
In February, coach Pal Dardai criticised the youngster for diving too often in training.
He told Bild: “It’s like puberty for him, he’s kind of a rebel. He has to work and learn like an animal.
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“In training, I always stop these kind of duels because you can’t fall to the ground like this. And, afterwards, he’s mad.”
Marseille are hoping to build a squad capable of reaching the Champions League after missing out on next year’s competition.
Guendouzi’s move is reportedly set to be completed in the summer yet his season is already over after suffering a broken metartarsal.
The injury meant he sat out Saturday’s draw with Koln that confirmed Hertha’s Bundesliga status for another season, and extended their unbeaten run to eight games.
Speaking before the game, Berlin sporting director Arne Friedrich confirmed the end of Guendouzi‘s stay in the German capital.
He said: “He has led the lads, played very good games, and given everything for the club.
“But the fact is just that he doesn’t belong to Hertha and will be headed back.”
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