Valencia have “held talks” with Arsenal about signing midfielder Matteo Guendouzi on loan, according to Super Deporte. The local Spanish newspaper claims the La Liga side are looking to take the Frenchman for the season, without any purchase option in the deal.

The reason why they will not be looking to sign the 21-year-old on a permanent basis is due to financial constraints, which has already led to a host of first-team players leaving the Mestalla. Valencia see Guendouzi as a cost-effective solution and they are convinced he is still available for transfer despite Mikel Arteta’s comments to the contrary before the Community Shield last week.

The Gunners boss said that every player in the squad would be handed a clean slate, including Guendouzi, despite the player having not featured since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton back in June. He was not included in the squad at the weekend and all the indications suggest he will be offloaded if a sufficient offer is made. It is doubtful, though, that Arsenal would accept Valencia’s loan proposal.