Transfer Centre

Barcelona offer Arsenal Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal for Matteo Guendouzi?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 27 July 2020

Barcelona reportedly tell Arsenal that they would be willing to include both Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal in any deal to sign Matteo Guendouzi this summer.

Barcelona have reportedly told Arsenal that they would be willing to include both Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal in any deal to take Matteo Guendouzi to Camp Nou.

The Catalan giants have stepped up their interest in the French midfielder in recent weeks after a fall-out with manager Mikel Arteta saw him frozen out of the first-team setup at the Emirates Stadium.

However, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted that Barcelona will be forced to rely largely on swap deals if they are to bring in any new faces this summer, having been hit hard by the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.

FootMercato reports that the La Liga outfit are considering using both Rakitic and Vidal in a deal for Guendouzi should Arsenal reject the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho.

The Gunners are one of six Premier League teams Barcelona have offered Coutinho to this summer, but Arsenal are thought to have been put off by Barca's demands of £45m plus Guendouzi for the Brazilian.

Guendouzi, 21, has made 34 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions this season.