Newcastle United have joined Aston Villa and West Ham United in the race to sign Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.
The Magpies are being linked with a host of midfield players ahead of the summer transfer window and Guendouzi is the latest.
That is according to a new report from L’Equipe, who claim that Guendouzi is attracting major interest.
Aston Villa and West Ham United are expected to rekindle their interest in signing Guendouzi having wanted him in January.
Newcastle are now interested too with Guendouzi potentially heading back to the Premier League this summer.
Matteo Guendouzi has been rebuilding his reputation away from Arsenal
Guendouzi was seen as an interesting talent when he joined Arsenal from Lorient for just £8million in 2018.
The Frenchman showed real potential under Unai Emery and looked set for a big future in North London.
Mikel Arteta didn’t really take to Guendouzi though and after a loan spell at Hertha Berlin, he was farmed out to Marseille – who ended up signing him permanently for just £10million.
Now shining again, Guendouzi was part of France’s World Cup squad in Qatar.
Villa’s interest is no great shock – Emery is in charge at Villa Park and would no doubt love a reunion with Guendouzi.
Newcastle is maybe more of a surprise link even with Eddie Howe interested in adding another midfielder or two this summer.
Guendouzi has played in front of defence, as a box-to-box player and even as a number 10 for Marseille, showing his versatility as a midfielder.
Howe may believe that he can develop Guendouzi into whatever kind of midfielder he wants, such is the talent at the Frenchman’s disposal.
Once backed for a ‘big future’ at Arsenal by Cesc Fabregas, Guendouzi could be given another chance to become a Premier League star.
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