Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery is keen to reunite with midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi at new club Villarreal this summer.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who say the Spaniard has already been in contact with the Gunners’ midfielder about a move to La Liga.
Guendouzi has found himself out of favour at the Emirates in recent months after an incident at the end of the defeat to Brighton on June 20th.
He has since been publicly criticised by manager Mikel Arteta, with reports that the youngster has been reprimanded behind the scenes regarding his attitude.
Indeed, reports at the beginning of July stated Arsenal were ‘exasperated’ with the Frenchman and that there had been public disagreements with Arteta on several occasions.
That has naturally led to talk that he will be moved on this summer, and according to FM, that is looking likely to be the case.
They report that that Arsenal ‘no longer want’ Guendouzi and that Arteta wants to ‘get rid’ he has no plans to include him in his future plans.
There is interest in him from Spain, particularly Barcelona, who have already seen a proposed swap deal including Ivan Rakitić and Arturo Vidal rejected by the Gunners.
However, they are not the only Spanish side keen with Villarreal now an option courtesy of their new manager Unai Emery.
He convinced Guendouzi to join Arsenal two years ago and wants to now sign him for his club this summer.
In fact, he has made the 21-year-old his ‘priority’ signing and has already been in contact with the midfielder to let him know of his interest.
Whether it is reciprocal isn’t yet known, but Foot Mercato speculate Villarreal being in the Europa League and being able to offer more playing time than the likes of Barcelona could be appealing to Guendouzi.
In the meantime, discussions between Arsenal and Villarreal have already begun over a loan deal with a purchase option included at the end of it, and an exit for the Frenchman is now looking increasingly likely at some point.
