SANCHO LEFT, WE’RE NOT INTERESTED: PEP
ARSENAL have explored using French midfielder as a makeweight in their summer transfer business.
Sportsmail understands club chiefs have put feelers out to see what interest there is in Guendouzi with a view to landing players they want in return.
Arsenal will have a limited budget for the next transfer window and they are actively assessing the market for potential swop deals, as well as shrewd buys and free transfers.
Guendouzi is one player they would be prepared to use as a makeweight in any swops. He was wanted by a number of clubs in Europe before joining Arsenal from Lorient in 2018, and the Gunners hope that interest remains.
The 21-year-old Frenchman was left out of the squad for Arsenal’s victories over Southampton and Sheffield United, after becoming embroiled in controversy against Brighton.
Dropping Guendouzi was an indication of Mikel Arteta’s displeasure with the youngster, leading to doubts over his future.
Guendouzi escaped an FA charge despite grabbing Brighton striker Neal Maupay around the neck. He was also accused of lacking humility after taunting Brighton players for earning less than Arsenal’s in the 2-1 loss at the
Amex Stadium.
Arteta also left Guendouzi out of his squad for Arsenal’s home win over Newcastle in February, having been unimpressed by the midfielder’s attitude during the club’s winter trip to Dubai.
Asked if Guendouzi had made the most of his opportunities since arriving at Arsenal, Arteta said: “When Arsenal picked him to come here, it was because they could see the potential and the qualities that Matteo has. He is a really young player, still developing. When you are developing, the curve normally is not so straightforward.
“You have to hit some bumps and adapt to it and learn in the process about things you have done right and things you have done wrong, like any other player.”
Another star missing from recent Arsenal squads has been Mesut Ozil. He sat out the Sheffield United FA Cup tie on Sunday with a back problem and also missed their first game since the return at Manchester City for tactical reasons.
In between, Ozil was an unused substitute against Brighton and Southampton. Asked if Ozil and Guendouzi still have a part to play in the remaining games, Arteta said: “Everybody I have in the squad, my job is to get the maximum out of them, to try to help and support them. And if they are willing, everybody is welcome. I always hope that the players want to give their best.
“I want all my players at their best and to be able to pick them to help the squad as much as possible. ”
Whenever Ozil is absent from Arsenal’s side, whether because of form or a niggling injury, the wisdom of handing him a club-high £350000-a-week deal in January 2018 is questioned.
Arteta added: “Never (do his wages impact team selection). That is an agreement the player and club were happy to do and I never question that.
“I think players are paid whatever they deserve because there are two parties here and that should never be something I have to judge.” | Daily Mail
MANCHESTER CITY are planning a squad reshuffle this summer but that will not include a return for Jadon Sancho.
Pep Guardiola is looking at as many as four new signings, warning Liverpool that City will be ready to wrestle back the Premier League crown next season.
City’s priority is a central defender after missing out on Harry Maguire last year, but they are also looking at other areas. That does not involve former academy graduate Sancho, despite Leroy Sane’s £55 million departure for Bayern Munich.
“He (Sancho) decided to leave, why should he decide to come back?” asked Guardiola this week. “When he decided to move to Dortmund, it is not because he is going to decide to come back two years later. It would make no sense. He didn’t want to be here.”
Guardiola said some areas of his squad needed freshening up, with Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho entering the final year of their contracts and David Silva leaving after the Champions League’s conclusion next month.
“Some players have to be replaced,” he said. “But it’s not a disaster, it’s part of football.
“It’s not for the lack of quality but for the absence of Vincent Kompany, David. Fernandinho and Sergio have one year left but I don’t know if they will extend or not.
“We have to rebuild. We’re going to make Liverpool feel it next season and fight for the next chapters.”