It was several weeks ago that the French press first reported Mattéo Guendouzi had an outline agreement to join Marseille.
The midfielder will be allowed to leave Arsenal this summer, with the club seeing no future for him under Mikel Arteta. Spending last season on loan at Hertha Berlin, the Frenchman had a mixed period but has still managed to receive transfer interest, largely due to his potential.
The initial reports talked of the Arsenal player travelling to Marseille to view the club’s facilities and speak to those in charge at the Ligue 1 side.
Both parties were clearly happy with whatever was said at those meetings, and attention then turned to finding an agreement with the Gunners.
Negotiations continue, and Marseille will hope to seal a deal ahead of the competition, reported in recent weeks to be Benfica and Borussia Dortmund.