Matteo Guendouzi is set to stay with Olympique de Marseille this month, meaning Arsenal will have to wait to cash in on his sell-on clause.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Matteo Guendouzi of Marseille reacts during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Matteo Guendouzi of Marseille reacts during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 07, 2022. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

According to TF1 journalist Saber Desfarges (via GFFN), Matteo Guendouzi is now set to remain with Marseille, despite interest from Aston Villa during the January transfer window.

West Ham United were also reportedly interested in the former Arsenal midfielder, but Guendouzi is seemingly declining a move back to the Premier League out of attachment to Marseille.

It probably helps that Marseille are significantly more likely to be competing near the top of the table and playing in the Champions League over the next year.

In addition to Guendouzi’s hesitance, Villa are also yet to place an official offer to sign him, despite their interest.

This is all relevant to Arsenal because Guendouzi has a sell-on clause. His permanent transfer to Marseille cost a modest €10-11m fee, but the Gunners will add to that if he’s sold on.

Marseille's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi warms up prior to the UEFA Conference League semi-final football match between Feyenoord and Olympique Marseille (OM) at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, on April 28, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille’s French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi warms up prior to the UEFA Conference League semi-final football match between Feyenoord and Olympique Marseille (OM) at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, on April 28, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

After a second-place league finish last season, Marseille fans will likely feel underwhelmed at a lack of progress from their side this campaign.

They were eliminated at the group stage from the Champions League – failing to even drop into the Europa League – and they’re third in Ligue 1.

But Aston Villa are down in 11th place, out of the cups, and with no imminent prospect of European football. It would have been a strange decision for Guendouzi to make that move.