What Olympique Marseille’s Transfer Ban Could Mean For Arsenal’s William Saliba & Matteo Guendouzi?

Transfer bans have recently been a thing with the clubs doing illegal transfer activity. The latest club to receive a transfer ban is Olympique Marseille from French League. The ban involves the long ongoing transfer dispute with Watford for Senegal International Papa Gueye. The whole scenario behind Papa Gueye’s transfer is a mess. The mess has implications for other clubs like Arsenal. As we look at what Olympique Marseille’s transfer ban could mean for Arsenal’s William Saliba & Matteo Guendouzi.

Why did Olympique Marseille receive a transfer ban?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned FIFA's decision on Papa Gueye. He was banned by football governing body over 2020 transfer. The midfielder had agreed personal terms with Watford before pulling plug on the deal. He's now cleared to represent Senegal at AFCON. pic.twitter.com/rlUYYeoR67

— BelgiumAFTV (@AftvBelgium) January 18, 2022

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Olympique Marseille’s transfer ban involved the long saga of Papa Gueye, the Senegal Midfielder. Papa Gueye received a four-month ban from playing football. On top of that Olympique Marseille has been given a transfer ban of one year by FIFA. The ban occurred because of Papa Gueye’s transfer saga in 2020. Watford signed Papa Gueye from French club Le Havre on a free transfer but he was sold to Marseille just 17 hours later.

Watford is asking for compensation on top of this ban. Marseille & the player Papa Gueye have the right to appeal. The ban will come in effect from summer.

What does it mean for Arsenal’s William Saliba & Matteo Guendouzi?

Arsenal have loaned out both William Saliba & Matteo Guendouzi to Marseille. Olympique Marseille have signed both the players on loan with a view of making it permanent deal. But the latest transfer ban by FIFA could hinder them from completing one of those deals.

Marseille manager Jorge Sampaoli on Guendouzi: "Aside from his youth, Mattéo has a particular energy. He has a desire to win & he’s a natural leader. We imagined that would be the case but that it would happen over time" pic.twitter.com/5nwQPtLnAc

— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) January 16, 2022

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Yes, Marseille can still sign Matteo Guendouzi from Arsenal despite the transfer ban. Matteo Guendouzi’s deal involved an obligation to buy for the French club. As seen in Matteo Kovacic’s transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea, despite Chelsea’s transfer ban the blues were able to secure the deal for Croatian.

Arsenal are insistent on reintegrating William Saliba into their first team after his loan spell with Marseille, despite the French club wanting to keep him, as per @lequipe. 🗞

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A great news! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/cj4KPaE3sq

— Arsenal Inside (@arsenalinside_) January 11, 2022

With William Saliba it is more complicated as the deal was straight loan with no option to buy. William Saliba has been the top performing player for Marseille this season. The French Club would surely be looking to make the deal permanent but with this transfer ban this plan looks to be in jeopardy.