Valencia interested in signing Guendouzi on loan
Valencia are interested in signing Guendouzi on loan, according to Spanish media outlet Superdeporte. They would like to be provided with an option to buy the player next summer for £16 million, according to the Mirror.
The Spanish club have held talks with Arsenal in the last few days to discuss a deal for the former Lorient midfielder. Valencia are facing a number of financial challenges and will not be able to sign the Frenchman on a permanent deal this summer.
Yangel Herrera was thought to be close to signing for Valencia on loan but the deal was not completed and it has now been confirmed that the Venezuelan midfielder will spend a second season on loan at Spanish side Granada. Los Che are in need of a central midfielder who can improve their team and Guendouzi is looking for a side where he will be able to get regular game time.
This move is not the most attractive option for the Gunners. They would prefer to sell him permanently this summer. In the event that Valencia do not exercise the option to make the move permanent next year, Guendouzi would return to the North London club with just one year remaining on his contract.
Arsenal will be keen to either sell him for a significant fee this summer or include him in a swap deal for a player they are interested in. Another option would be to loan him out to a club with an obligation to make the move permanent next year.
Interest in the French midfielder from other clubs has been minimal this summer but there is still a lot of time to go before the transfer window closes. Mikel Arteta has indicated that the door is not completely closed for Guendouzi to work his way back into his plans. He said:
“I have been really clear that everybody starts from zero all the time in football. What you did two weeks ago or two years ago doesn’t really matter. It’s what you are able to contribute to the team now. Everybody is going to have the same opportunities.”
“They’ll have to show with their performances and their attitude that they are better than their teammates or somehow contributing to what we want to achieve this season.”
