Unai Emery’s overhaul of the Arsenal squad looks to have picked up pace as the highly-rated French youth international Matteo Guendouzi is close to joining the club from Lorient in a £7M deal.The 19-year-old had reportedly attracted interest from the Bretagne club’s Ligue 1 rivals PSG as well as Borussia Dortmund.Reports have claimed that Emery personally convinced the player, who plays in a holding role in midfield, to choose London over Paris for the next step in his career.
Guendouzi, who made 21 club appearances last summer, is reportedly set to sign a four-year deal with the Gunners. His activity on social media has served to fuel speculation that a deal is almost done in effect. He looks set to be joined at the Emirates by the Lucas Torreira, the Uruguayan has diverted on his way back to South America from the World Cup in Russia to complete his medical with the club.The 22-year-old was given an early release for his nation’s summer exploits following their defeat to France at the quarter-final stage and made securing his long-term future at club level. “I would have been very happy to be able to return to Uruguay with my team-mates but this is a fantastic opportunity to join Arsenal and I do not want to waste it,” he said.