Hertha chief issues Matteo Guendouzi transfer update as Arsenal must be wary of Saka burnout
All the very latest Arsenal news, views and transfer rumours ahead of the Gunners' return to Premier League action on Sunday against Leeds United at Elland Road
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Hertha chief coy over Guendouzi transfer
Hertha Berlin sporting director Michael Preetz has insisted “nobody can say” if the Bundesliga club will be in a position to sign Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi permanently next summer.
The 21-year-old, who fell out with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta at the end of last season, is currently on loan at the German outfit and has impressed in his two appearances so far.
But Preetz was reluctant to predict a future permanent transfer.
“Three months ago, Matteo’s loan signing wasn’t possible, but it was at the beginning of October,” he told Kicker.
“We are happy that he is there and that he enriched our game from the start.
“We’ll see everything else next summer. How the prices will develop by then and what Arsenal is planning then, nobody can say today.”
Saka injury risk increases after England involvement
Bukayo Saka is becoming increasingly at risk of suffering an injury after featuring for England in Sunday’s Nations League defeat against Belgium.
The Arsenal youngster had already played the full 90 minutes in a friendly win over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday night.
And he has been a regular in Arteta’s Arsenal team this term, appearing in the Premier League and Europa League.
There is growing concern that Saka is moving dangerously close to the ‘Red Zone’, a term coined by legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and the point at which players are more susceptible to muscle injuries.
Arsenal transfer policy changing amid interest in Brazilian youngster
Arsenal’s interest in Sao Paulo youngster Brenner is more evidence of the club’s change in transfer policy.
The signing of Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano appears to have changed how the Premier League’s top clubs, including the Gunners, approach transfers.
“The way the market is going, the European clubs are looking not so much for established stars, they're looking for the likes of Martinelli,” Brazilian football expert Phil Vickery said on Sky Sports earlier in the year.
"The Arsenal scouting unit are looking for players in Brazil who are by no means household names in their own home at the moment.
"Martinelli's already scored with Arsenal as many senior goals as he scored in Brazil, playing mostly regional football in Sao Paulo.”
