Marseille president Pablo Longoria insists the Ligue 1 giants are not in talks to sell Matteo Guendouzi to Premier League outfit Aston Villa, speaking to RMC Sport.
History doesn’t tend to look back too fondly on Guendouzi’s Arsenal career. The fiery Frenchman certainly left under a cloud, a fall-out with Mikel Arteta spanning from that unseemly Brighton bust-up.
But while the bad side of Guendouzi undoubtedly overshadowed the good during much of his time at the Emirates, it should not be forgotten just how impressive the poodle-haired playmaker looked at times during the Unai Emery era.
Emery threw a 19-year-old Guendouzi straight into his XI for the opening day of the 2018/19 season against Manchester City; rewarded with a performance full of character and confidence. Guendouzi’s midfield masterclass in a 2-2 North London derby draw with Tottenham, meanwhile, was a rare high in a dismal final few months of the Emery era.
“He was very young,” Emery said. “His wish to adapt very quickly, as well as his quality, is very good for us. He started playing and training with (the first-team). His progress during the season was amazing.”
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa hope to sign France international Matteo Guendouzi from Marseille
If Arteta put the pause on Guendouzi’s development, then the France international has been playing like a man stuck in fast-forward at Marseille. As such, reports suggesting that Aston Villa could offer £35 million in an attempt to reunite the 23-year-old with Emery have been met with a great deal of concern from the L’OM fanbase (RMC).
Longoria, however, is attempting to calm those fears; insisting that Guendouzi’s future lies at the Stade Velodrome for the time being.
“I read the information in the press like you. There are no talks between clubs,” Longoria says.
“We haven’t received any offers. I don’t know if (a move to Aston Villa has been) discussed with the player’s entourage. It’s speculation.”
Aston Villa have already completed their first signing of the Emery era; left-back Alex Moreno arriving from Real Betis for a cool £13 million. Further funds will be freed up by the sale of some seldom-seen fringe players. Morgan Sanson, Frederic Guilbert and Marvelous Nakamba, to name but three.
Guilbert is in talks to re-join former employers Strasbourg.
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