Mattéo Guendouzi has completed a transfer that underlines just how sharply his market value has climbed since leaving north London, moving for close to three times the fee Arsenal received when they sold him four years ago.
Arsenal allowed the French midfielder to join Marseille in 2022 for €11m, a figure that reflected both his strained relationship with Mikel Arteta and the club’s desire to draw a line under a turbulent chapter.
This week, now 26, Guendouzi completed a €28m move to Fenerbahçe, a record deal for the Istanbul side.
The transfer capped an extraordinary few days.
On Wednesday night, Guendouzi was still wearing a Lazio shirt in Serie A. By the weekend, he had been unveiled in Turkey, signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and made an immediate impact, scoring from 25 metres on his debut to help Fenerbahçe lift the Turkish Super Cup.
After his final appearance in Rome, Maurizio Sarri addressed him in the dressing room, saying, “You fought for this club with all your might and in return, the club treated you like a king. Today, finish in the best way.”
Guendouzi then said his goodbyes to supporters before boarding a private jet to Istanbul where he immediately endeared himself to the home fans in their 2-0 win over Galatasaray.
He told the club’s official channels upon signing, “I can’t wait to play my first match in front of our fans. I hope we will win victories and trophies together here.
“I am truly very proud. I am very happy to be here today. I really wanted to be here. That’s why I’m so happy, this is a big day for me and my whole family. I’m enjoying this moment. I hope we will achieve great things together.
“First of all, I want to thank everyone who contributed to this transfer. Because it wasn’t an easy process. From the moment I first heard about it, I really wanted to come here and I did. I am very proud and Fenerbahçe is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a great history. Our president also told me about our club, our fans and our goals. I am very happy and excited to be here. I know our fans and the great atmosphere they create, I can’t wait to play my first match in front of them. I hope we will win victories and trophies together here.
“I want to thank our fans. Because I received many loving messages from them on social media. They can be sure that I will give everything on the field for them if necessary. I am always that kind of player. I hope we win the league championship together after 12 years. I hope we can achieve our goals together with our fans, our team, and our coach,” he said.
As this is Guendouzi’s second permanent move since leaving Arsenal, the Gunners will receive nothing from a sell-on clause.