Matteo Guendouzi and Jose Mourinho could pave the way for Arsenal to complete a double midfield signing heading into the summer.
As uncertainty over Granit Xhaka's future continues to mount, football.london understands that Roma are expected to make a fresh attempt to sign the Swiss international at the end of the season.
It is potentially because of Roma’s Xhaka pursuit that according to Calciomercato, Jordan Veretout’s relationship with Mourinho has completely broken down, with Marseille interested in a deal.
However, with Arsenal set to sell Guendouzi to the Ligue 1 side, the need for Marseille to sign Veretout could decrease, meaning that the Gunners could negotiate a potential swap deal.
Guendouzi was sent out on his second consecutive loan deal away from the club after he fell out of favour with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
The Frenchman has impressed since joining Marseille and it is a deal that could be made permanent come the summer.
Xhaka was also close to leaving the club last summer but a deal with Roma broke down due to the two clubs being unable to agree on a fee.
However, this time around Arsenal could use Xhaka as part of their negotiations to sign Veretout, who is reportedly unhappy at Marseille.
Veretout, who already has Premier League experience with Aston Villa, certainly wouldn’t be a regular starter under Mikel Arteta but he can add a good quality of depth to the midfield which is desperately needed.
Alongside Xhaka’s seemingly inevitable exit, Mohamed Elneny’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
This could potentially leave Thomas Partey as the only experienced player in the midfield position, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Charlie Patino not ready to become starters just yet.
This means that alongside the potential arrival of Veretout, Arsenal will also need to sign a blockbuster midfielder who can pivot alongside Partey, Youri Tielemans or Ruben Neves in an ideal world.
Mourinho and Guendouzi have set up a double transfer opportunity which Edu must be prepared to act upon.
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