Mateo Guendouzi rejected the chance to leave Marseille in the January transfer window amid claims that Aston Villa wanted to take the former Arsenal playmaker back to the Premier League.
Aston Villa have always spent big in the Wes Edens and Nayef Sawiris era. The difference now, of course, is that they have an elite coach at the helm too.
It’s rather pointless owning an F1 car unless you possess the driving skills of Lewis Hamilton, the Dean Smith era spinning out of control and into the nearest barrier. Now, with a four-time Europa League winner at the helm, the Midland giants appear to finally have a tactician capable of making the best use out of a talented and previously underachieving squad.
Saturday’s 2-0 win at Chelsea – the final straw for Graham Potter – lifted Aston Villa to within three points of sixth-place Brighton and Hove Albion.
Reported interest in the likes of Nico Williams, Alberto Moleiro and the aforementioned Guendouzi ahead of the summer transfer window, meanwhile, may have some of a claret-and-blue persuasion wondering if Emery can do at Villa Park what, say, Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle United.
Will Aston Villa bring ex-Arsenal man Matteo Guendouzi back to England?
Aston Villa, the Daily Mail say, could renew their interest in the £44 million-rated Guendouzi. The poodle-haired Frenchman opted to stay at Marseille beyond the winter but the chance to reunite with his former Arsenal boss at an ambitious, upwardly-mobile Aston Villa side could potentially turn Guendouzi’s head.
“It’s true that I had offers this winter, a few proposals from clubs,” the former PSG youngster tells RMC Sport. “But I didn’t feel like leaving. I wanted to finish the season.
“My focus is on those 10 remaining games, accomplishing our goal.”
Marseille looked destined for Champions League qualification a few weeks ago. A dip in form, however, has allowed Monaco to cut the gap to just three points, with L’OM now at risk of dropping out of the UCL spots altogether.
Missing out on a seat at Europe’s top table may be all the encouragement Guendouzi needs to consider Aston Villa’s offer, presuming Emery makes another approach for a man who was such a key part of his first-team set up at the Emirates Stadium.
‘There will be discussions’
“This summer? We are not there yet There will be discussions with the club,” Guendouzi adds.
“But I am very happy at OM. I always want to keep growing. I did that very well here, I know this club can bring me a lot.”
Guendouzi has five goals and four assists this season.
“If he were to leave, I would be in mourning,” says Eric 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.
“Unfortunately, a French club like OM cannot compete with the English league.”
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