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Arsenal transfer target Pape Gueye’s Instagram message to Matteo Guendouzi sends fans wild
Arsenal are close to completing a deal for Le Havre midfielder Pape Gueye, who seems to be close pals with Matteo Guendouzi.
Papa Gueye displays impressive skills for Le Havre
Arsenal fans are convinced Pape Gueye is set to join from Le Havre following his post on Matteo Guendouzi’s Instagram snap. The Le Havre midfielder has emerged as a target for the Gunners ahead of the summer transfer window.
Reports in France suggest Arsenal are on the brink of an agreement for Gueye, who is a defensive-minded midfielder.
Emirates Stadium bosses look set to beat a string of clubs to his signature including AC Milan, Fiorentina, Udinese and Sevilla.
According to Jeunes Footeux, a €6million (£5m) fee is likely to be agreed with Le Havre for Gueye.
Arsenal previously dipped into Ligue 2 to lure Guendouzi from Lorient.
JUST IN: Arsenal close to Pape Gueye transfer agreement ahead of summer window
Guendouzi, who is currently with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad at their warm-weather camp in Dubai, uploaded a snap of himself in training to his Instagram account.
Gooners were sent into a meltdown by a comment from Gueye, who wrote “Guendouzzz” and added a couple of emojis.
One fan commented: “Come to Arsenal?”
“Welcome to Arsenal the next Patrick Vieira,” a second said.
“Guess we will see you in the summer then,” a third added.
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A fourth wrote: “See you next season.”
While another added: “Transfer confirmed.”
If a deal for Gueye goes through then he will become the first permanent signing of the Arteta era.
Arsenal’s only signings in the January transfer window were the loan arrivals of Pablo Mari from Flamengo and Cedric Soares from Southampton.
Gueye has earned international honours at youth level for France since making his Le Havre debut in 2017. He has made 37 appearances in total for the French club.
Arsenal have made the most of the Premier League winter break by travelling to Dubai for warm-weather training.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes it has been a worthwhile trip, and he said: “I think it is a good one (the winter training camp) for the spirit of the team and we are feeling well,” he said.
“It was important for us and we try to improve every day.
"Mikel is doing very well and I think we are improving every day. I think we are feeling much better than the beginning of the season.”
Arsenal return to action against Newcastle on Sunday (4.30pm).