Arsenal are prepared to trigger an option in Matteo Guendouzi's contract.
The Frenchman has been in Gunners exile, since falling out with Mikel Arteta during the back end of the 2019-20 season.
The Gunners possess an option to extend Guendouzi's contract by a further year to June 2023, a scenario that would suit neither party.
But Le 10 Sport says they are threatening to do so with Marseille attempting to low ball them.
There is a will to get this deal done, but Arsenal's demands are delaying matters.
Marseille are keen on France youth international Guendouzi, but for now are willing to only spend £8.6m on the North London outcast.
