Fabrizio Romano provides update on Matteo Guendouzi amid reports he could return to Arsenal

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Reports have emerged that midfielder Matteo Guendouzi could return to Arsenal this month with loan side Hertha Berlin unable to pay a permanent fee for the French ace – but Fabrizio Romano has provided an update, suggesting the opposite.

Guendouzi, 21, was ushered out on loan by Mikel Arteta in the summer after murmurs of a poor attitude behind the scenes. He joined Hertha Berlin where he has since impressed, during his 10 league and cup appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Having only scored once in 82 games for Arsenal, Guendouzi has netted twice in 10 Hertha outings and he has certainly impressed while out on loan. German newspaper Bild claim Hertha can sign Guendouzi for £29million, permanently.

But Bild also claimed that Hertha might have to send him back to Arsenal as they could not afford to get him permanently. However, Romano has rubbished those rumours, stating that Hertha are desperate to keep the France Under-21 star.

TBR’s view – The best place for Guendouzi, right now, is Hertha

What Guendouzi needs is a full season at Hertha where he can rediscover his confidence and show Arsenal – or any interested parties ahead of the summer window – that he is a player that is capable of Champions League quality.

He has the potential, that is obvious. But with that comes the need for the right attitude and mentality. Mo Elneny has returned from a loan when his Arsenal career looked over, and he has rejuvenated his Arsenal spell at least for this season.

Kieran Tierney is so driven that he has probably been Arsenal’s best player this season. Another six months at Hertha, and Guendouzi can return to Arsenal with the chance of breaking into Arteta’s plans – if his head is screwed on.