Aston Villa transfer news: Positive double update in Emery pursuit of Arteta enemy as enticing offer submitted

There has been a big double update on Aston Villa’s chase to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Marseille, with Unai Emery’s team reportedly launching an offer for the Ligue 1 midfielder.

Guendouzi was on Arsenal’s books between July 2018 and July 2022. He moved to the Emirates when Arsenal paid Lorient £8million to sign him.

Guendouzi soon impressed Arsenal coaches, including then manager Emery, and made his way into the starting eleven. He made 48 appearances in all competitions during his debut season with the Gunners, as they finished fifth in the Premier League and reached the final of the Europa League.

The Frenchman made a further 34 appearances the following campaign, but this is where his time under Mikel Arteta – who replaced Emery as Arsenal boss in December 2019 – came to an end.

Guendouzi got into an argument with opposition Brighton players during a Premier League game in June 2020. He allegedly taunted them about how much they earn and ended up grabbing then Seagulls striker Neal Maupay by the throat.

Arteta was not impressed and decided to never play him again. Guendouzi spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Hertha Berlin, joining Marseille the year after that. The 23-year-old’s move back to France became permanent in summer 2022.

Surprisingly, he could now achieve a return to the Premier League. Earlier in the January transfer window, it emerged Emery was hoping to reunite with Guendouzi at Villa.

On Monday, French source La Provence claimed Villa were considering a swap deal to sign him. Although, they did not reveal which player could be sent in the other direction.

Club brings in replacement for Aston Villa target

Villa have now been handed a major boost in their hunt to land Guendouzi. That is because Marseille have agreed to sign a potential replacement. They are close to capturing Morocco World Cup midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, and this could allow Guendouzi to link up with Emery again.

As per Sport Witness, who cite French newspaper L’Equipe, Villa have begun negotiations with both the player and his club to try and get a deal sorted. They have apparently sent a ‘very nice offer’ to Guendouzi. Presumably, this includes a lucrative weekly wage.

Villa are currently waiting to see if the ex-Arsenal man will accept the contract terms. However, they have yet to actually send a bid to Marseille for his services.

It sounds like an offer is highly likely to arrive before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

The report states that Marseille’s president, Pablo Longoria, is well aware of the Premier League interest in Guendouzi. And if Villa opt against sending a bid this month, they will almost certainly do so in the summer.

Emery clearly feels he can get the best out of Guendouzi and help him to become a real force in the Prem. However, Villa fans may have some concerns about his mentality. After all, he fell out with several people at Arsenal, so this could happen again in the West Midlands.

Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Emery can help Guendouzi keep his emotions in check and solely focus on his football.

Meanwhile, Villa could raid Chelsea for an out-of-favour Chelsea attacker, according to reports.