A stunning turn of events in the January 2026 transfer window took place. The Ex-Arsenal midfield player Mattéo Guendouzi has been sold by Lazio to Fenerbahçe for a reported €30 million, including add-ons. A figure nearly three times the €11 million Arsenal received when they offloaded their to Marseille in 2022.
Early Career and Breakthrough at Lorient
The ex-Arsenal player Mattéo Guendouzi was born on April 14, 1999, in Poissy, France. He began his youth career at Paris Saint-Germain’s academy in 2005. He spent nine years there before moving to FC Lorient in 2014 due to limited opportunities. At Lorient, he progressed quickly through the ranks. Moreover, he made his professional debut in Ligue 2, October 15, 2016, against Le Havre at just 17 years old. Over two seasons, he featured in 30 matches. He also scored once and providing assists, showcasing his combative style and vision in midfield. His performances caught the eye of scouts, leading to his big break in the Premier League.
Arrival and Rise at Arsenal
In July 2018, Arsenal signed Guendouzi from Lorient for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £7 million plus bonuses. Under Unai Emery, he quickly became a fan favorite. He debuted in the Premier League against Manchester City and earning plaudits for his energy and tenacity. In his first season, he played 48 games across all competitions, helping Arsenal reach the UEFA Europa League final. His sophomore year saw him maintain form, but the arrival of Mikel Arteta in December 2019 marked a turning point. Guendouzi’s fiery temperament clashed with Arteta’s discipline-focused regime. It culminated in a high-profile fallout during a match against Brighton in June 2020, where he grabbed Neal Maupay by the throat. He was sidelined and never played for Arsenal again.
Loans and Permanent Exit from Arsenal
He was seeking game time. Therefore, Guendouzi was loaned to Hertha Berlin for the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. There, he made 24 appearances, scoring twice and assisting once despite injury setbacks. Upon return, with no path back at Arsenal, he was loaned to Marseille in 2021-22 with an obligation to buy. At Marseille, under Jorge Sampaoli, he thrived. He played 56 games where he scored five goals, and provided 14 assists. This helped the team finish second in Ligue 1 and reach the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals. Marseille activated the buy clause for €11 million in July 2022. A bargain considering his contributions, but Arsenal fans lamented the low fee for a player once valued at €50 million.
Revival and Captaincy at Marseille
Guendouzi’s time at Marseille solidified his reputation as a box-to-box midfielder with excellent passing range (88% accuracy in Ligue 1) and defensive nous (2.1 tackles per game). He was occasionally named captain, a testament to his leadership growth. However, tensions arose again; in 2023, amid fan protests and managerial changes, he requested a transfer. Marseille loaned him to Lazio for the 2023-24 season with an option to buy. He adapted to Serie A under Maurizio Sarri.
Italian Stint at Lazio
At Lazio, Mattéo Guendouzi featured in 46 matches across all competitions in 2023-24. He scored three goals and assisting four, contributing to a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification. Lazio exercised the €13 million option (plus up to €5 million in bonuses) in summer 2024, making the move permanent. In the 2024-25 season, he continued impressing with 18 appearances, two goals, and strong metrics like 1.8 interceptions per game. Sarri praised his “dedication and warrior spirit,” but Lazio’s financial needs prompted a sale. His market value had risen to €28 million by late 2025.
🚨🟡🔵 Mattéo Guendouzi said goodbye to Lazio fans… as he’s set to travel to Istanbul and join Fenerbahçe.
€29m package deal done. “I was expecting him to be one of our 7-8 key players to build the future squad…”, says Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri. pic.twitter.com/gTUBESUcBM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2026
Blockbuster Transfer to Fenerbahçe
In a swift January 2026 deal, Fenerbahçe secured Mattéo Guendouzi for €28 million plus €2 million in add-ons. This accumulated a potential €30 million, shattering their previous record of €27 million for Fred in 2023. The transfer was confirmed amid reports of a verbal agreement and Guendouzi flying to Istanbul for medicals. On debut, he scored a stunning 25-yard goal in a 2-0 Turkish Super Cup win over Galatasaray. This instantly endearing himself to fans. Guendouzi signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, expressing excitement about joining a “historic club” and aiming to end their 12-year league drought. This move, under manager José Mourinho, positions him in a star-studded midfield alongside players like Sofyan Amrabat.
🚨 After signing for Fenerbahçe for around £25M, Matteo Guendouzi scored on his DEBUT for the club. 🇫🇷🇹🇷
It was in the Turkish Super Cup final against Galatasaray too.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/YAAhsH7viW
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 11, 2026
The Tripling of Value
The €30 million fee is nearly three times the €11 million Arsenal pocketed, raising questions about the Gunners’ decision-making. The factors include Guendouzi’s maturation. Once criticized for immaturity, he now boasts a 7.2 average rating in Serie A and improved discipline (fewer yellow cards). Tactical evolution under Sarri and Sampaoli enhanced his versatility, from deep-lying playmaker to energetic No. 8.
International Career and Playing Style
Guendouzi represented France at youth levels, captaining the U21s. He debuted for the senior team in November 2021 against Kazakhstan, earning 10 caps by 2026, including Euro 2024 appearances. Stylistically, he’s a dynamic central midfielder with 91% pass completion, strong aerial ability (1.5 headers won per game), and relentless pressing. Critics note his occasional rashness, but his work rate (11.5 km per match) makes him invaluable.
Future Prospects and Legacy
At Fenerbahçe, the Ex-Arsenal player Guendouzi could thrive in the Süper Lig’s intensity. This will potentially boosting his value further toward a return to a top-five league. For Arsenal, this saga is a cautionary tale of talent mismanagement, contrasting with their current midfield stars like Declan Rice. Guendouzi’s career, marked by highs, lows, and redemption, proves resilience pays off, literally, with his price tag tripling in four years.