Aston Villa are now hopeful of agreeing on a deal with Marseille over the transfer of Matteo Guendouzi this month. Coach Unai Emery is keen to reunite with the midfielder at Villa Park.
That is according to Birmingham Live, which reports the Villans are working to trash out the terms of a transfer for Guendouzi. Les Phoceens are reluctant to let the 23-year-old leave in the mid-season market. But Stade Velodrome chiefs are now working to get a replacement.
Marseille are speaking with Hellas Verona over a swoop to sign the Serie A side’s midfielder, Ivan Ilic. The Serbian will likely move to the Ligue 1 club if Guendouzi leaves. While Emery is pushing to sign the Frenchman after he let Morgan Sanson head to RC Strasbourg on loan.
Emery has long sought to reunite with Guendouzi since Arsenal fired the Spaniard in 2019. He had bought the midfielder for the Gunners from FC Lorient for £8m in his first window in charge in 2018. The tactician then later targeted a deal whilst he was in charge of Villarreal.
But Guendouzi headed to Marseille on loan for the 2021/22 season in a deal which included a £9m purchase clause. Now, 90min reports Les Phoceens value the seven-cap France star at €50m (£44m). Which is more than Aston Villa ideally want to pay for a transfer right now.
Aston Villa must increase their valuation of Guendouzi for a transfer with Marseille
RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins has noted that Aston Villa want to begin negotiations with Marseille at €30m (£26.5m) for Guendouzi’s transfer. The Villans could even stretch to €40m (£35.5m). Yet their valuation of the midfielder is some way away from Les Phoceens’.
Igor Tudor would be loath to see Guendouzi leave his team, as well. The OM manager has started the Poissy-born technician – who former Lyon director of football Juninho believes is ‘formidable’ – in 14 of his 17 Ligue 1 matches so far this season for a goal and three assists.
Marseille will also owe Arsenal up to 15% of a future transfer fee if they sell Guendouzi, per the Mirror. The Ligue 1 outfit will also owe the Gunners even more should they sell him to a Premier League club. So, Aston Villa will have to make a real effort to sign Emery’s target.
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