Arsenal are open to cancelling star Mathieu Flamini‘s contract in order to force the midfielder out of the club, reports the Metro.
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The 31-year-old made 32 appearances last season, but saw his defensive midfield role be taken by Francis Coquelin in the second half of the season. The 24-year-old returned from a loan at Championship side Charlton Athletic in December and went on to play a key role in wins over Manchester City and Manchester United in the latter stages of the campaign.
This has left Flamini, who has made 221 appearances for the Gunners in two spells totalling six years with the club, out in the cold with regards to a place in the starting XI.
As such, manager Arsene Wenger seems open to letting the Frenchman leave for SC Bastia, who are understood to be interested in a transfer [Goal], despite Flamini having another year left on his current contract [Daily Mail].
Bastia need the player to be released from his contract due to financial restrictions, and they would also need the midfielder to take a significant wage cut for the same reason. With Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, and many others able to play in the middle of the park for the Gunners, it may be that a move away is the best result for both club and player.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Flamini would accept a move to Bastia should the club be relegated from Ligue 1. Due to their financial situation, the Corsican side have been banned from re-registering in the top flight by the Direction nationale de control de gestion [L’Equipe], although it remains to be seen whether they would appeal the ruling.