Matteo Guendouzi has posted a farewell message to Arsenal and the fans, ahead of his imminent transfer to Marseille.

Arsenal's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi applauds supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 30, 2019. - The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP / Getty Images)
Arsenal’s French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi applauds supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on September 30, 2019. – The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP / Getty Images)

Matteo Guendouzi landed in Marseille over the weekend to complete his move to the club, posing for photographs with fans.

The deal is set to be an initial loan move, but with an obligation to buy next summer. As a result, it’s effectively a permanent transfer, only with the majority of the payment deferred to 2022.

Arsenal reportedly wanted €20m at first, but they’ve settled for a deal worth around €12m in total.

Seemingly confirming the move himself, Guendouzi took to Instagram to post a farewell message to Arsenal, and to the fans of the club.

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Note: The post has since been removed from his profile, the below is what is said before it was deleted.

“Thank you Arsenal, thanks for everything,” Guendouzi began. “I discovered and learned so much during my time here. It would be impossible to list everything without forgetting one memory or word…

“But I will never forget any minute spent with the Gunners jersey. I will never forget the Emirates Stadium. I will never forget the fans. I won’t forget the city. I will never forget everything I’ve been through here.

“I will never forget that my only will was to defend with pride Arsenal colors. Thanks to all of those who believed in me during my time here, during the good and the bad moments.

“I can only wish the best to the club and its fans who deserve so much, trust me! Goodbye Arsenal, I will never forget you and will be a gooner forever.”

We await the official confirmation of the transfer, but it seems like it’s really only a matter of time now.

Guendouzi had a year left on his contract with Arsenal, but the club had a one-year option to extend it, which is why a loan with an obligation to buy is even still possible.

The midfielder made 24 appearances on loan with Hertha BSC last season, scoring two goals, and providing one assist, but his season ended early with a fractured metatarsal. He’ll now be looking to recover and integrate with his new club as soon as possible.

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