Premier League trio Newcastle United, Aston Villa and West Ham are all fighting to sign former Arsenal talent Matteo Guendouzi this summer, according to the latest reports coming out of France.
The Frenchman spent two seasons in the Premier League after joining Arsenal in an £8m move from French second-tier side Lorient, but fell out with Mikel Arteta in the Spaniard’s first season in charge and left under a cloud.
After making 82 appearances, the youngster left first on loan to Hertha Berlin, then to Marseille, where a loan move became permanent following a string of impressive performances.
The moment Guendouzi’s Arsenal career was over? 🤔
The midfielder didn’t play a single game for the club after this full-time altercation with Neal Maupay in June 2020…pic.twitter.com/irxEdsbfUa
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) July 5, 2021
He has since been rebuilding his career back in home country alongside fellow former Gunners Alexis Sanchez, Sead Kolasinac and current Arsenal man Nuno Tavares.
Guendouzi began the most recent campaign brightly, and was included in Didier Deschamp’s France squad for the World Cup in Qatar, where he made 1 appearance in their group stage defeat to Tunisia.
However, his form has faded as Marseille have, with the one-time league challengers now eight points behind Paris Saint Germain, and having been dragged back into a race for a Champions League spot.
All of Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham are thought to be keen on adding him to their ranks, with the Hammers expected to lose Declan Rice this summer and Newcastle looking to strengthen a squad on course for Champions League football.
A move to Aston Villa, meanwhile, would reunite Guendouzi with Unai Emery, who was responsible for his best form in an Arsenal shirt. It was reported that the Villains were prepared to pay 40m euros for his services in January, and a repeat could be on the cards this summer.
