Reports linking former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi with a shock return to the Premier League at Aston Villa have left Marseille legend Eric di Meco fearing the worst, speaking to RMC Sport.
When Guendouzi departed under a cloud at Arsenal – a falling out with Mikel Arteta proving to be his undoing – a move to Marseille almost felt like the footballing equivalent of dropping a family bag of Mentos into a two-litre bottle of Pepsi.
One of European football’s most combustible young talents heading to one of European football’s most combustible clubs. Surely an explosion was bound to follow.
That Guendouzi has grown from a boy into a man at the Stade Velodrome, then, is credit to the poodle-haired playmaker’s new-found maturity; the one-time PSG youngster taking on a leadership role under Igor Tudor for a L’OM side once again pushing for a place in the Champions League.
Aston Villa could reunite Unai Emery with former Arsenal ace Matteo Guendouzi
“If he were to leave, I would be in mourning,” says Di Meco, a four-time Ligue 1 champion with Marseille. “I really like this player. For me, Guendouzi is the X-factor.
“He has something about him. He runs everywhere, he puts his foot in, he is unbearable (to play against). He’s a great player. Last year, he had a great season. This season, he is not playing in his best role. I feel like Tudor likes him a little higher up the pitch.
“He’s done that (new, more attacking role) with a lot of drive and talent too.”
RMC believe that Aston Villa are preparing to offer £27 million for Guendouzi. The Midland giants could even go up to £35 million. Should a deal occur, the stylish 23-year-old will be reunited with Unai Emery at Villa Park; handed a starting berth by the Spaniard while still a teenager at Arsenal back in 2018.
And, while he hopes to see Guendouzi stay, Di Meco would understand if Marseille found an offer in excess of £35 million impossible to reject.
“How can you blame OM (for selling)?,” Di Meco muses, highlighting the strength in depth available to Tudor in midfield.
“You have signed (Ruslan) Malinovskyi, who player little higher with (Dimitri) Payet and (Cengiz) Under. And then you have (Valentin) Rongier, (Jordan) Veretout and (Pape) Gueye.
“How can you blame Guendouzi for leaving? Unfortunately, a French club like OM cannot compete with the English league.”
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