Report: Rennes monitoring Arsenal pair Guendouzi and Xhaka

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Rennes are monitoring both Granit Xhaka and Arsenal teammate Matteo Guendouzi as they look to bolster their midfield options, according to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato.

As things stand, the futures of both Guendouzi and Xhaka look fairly uncertain. Guendouzi, of course, is currently out on loan at Hertha Berlin.

Meanwhile, Xhaka has come in for a lot of criticism following his recent red card in the Gunners’ defeat to Burnley.

It will be very interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta shows any willingness to let Xhaka leave in January or in the summer.

And it appears that he has been offered the chance to offload the midfielder. According to Foot Mercato, Rennes want the Switzerland international.

It is suggested that the finances in a potential deal are likely to prove a major obstacle. Spotrac shows that he is on £100,000-a-week. BBC Sport meanwhile, reported that he cost £35 million when he arrived in 2016.

Interestingly, Foot Mercato also claims that Guendouzi is on their radar.

TBR View: Arsenal should not snub chance to move Xhaka on if substantial bid comes in

It remains to be seen if Xhaka makes an immediate return once his suspension ends. But it is surely fair to say that plenty of Arsenal fans will be hoping that the club listens to offers that come in for him in the coming months.

He has done a lot of good things over the last year. But, like many, his form has dipped in recent times. And the latest red card was arguably a reminder that Arteta putting his full faith in Xhaka would be a gamble.

Based on the report, it would appear that Rennes would need Arsenal to help them out if they are going to be able to afford the Swiss.

But the Gunners should not necessarily shut the door on the idea of letting him go.