Unai Emery ‘targets’ reunion with former Arsenal midfielder

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is preparing a bid for Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, according to reports in France. The 23-year-old made his loan move with the Ligue 1 club permanent in the summer.

Emery signed Guendouzi from Lorient for only £7 million shortly after he was appointed Arsenal boss and made his admiration for the player clear, describing him as a ‘talented young player’ with ‘big potential’. Guendouzi went onto make 57 appearances in the top flight within two seasons but failed to meet expectations and feel down the pecking order.

Guendouzi went onto enjoy loan spells with Hertha Berlin and Marseille before he made his move back to his home country permanent in a £9m switch. With 22 appearances in all competitions under his belt this term, including two goals in the Champions League, the Frenchman could now return to the Premier League with Foot Mercato reporting that Emery is pushing for Villa to sign him this month.

The report claims that Emery and Guendouzi have spoken personally recently regarding a potential transfer and it is believed that a Villa bid is imminent. However, Marseille are said to value him at £26.5 million - significant increase on what they paid for him last year. While it may seem like a hefty price to pay for a player who struggled at time for the Gunners, it is thought that Marseille are already lining up a move for a potential replacement in Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi. The Moroccan has attracted interest from the likes of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur after his heroics at the World Cup.

Guendouzi has already come up against former rivals Tottenham Hotspur twice this season as they met in the Champions League group stage, however the North London outfit came out on top in both matches. If the midfielder is to join Aston Villa then he could be reunited with Arsenal when they visit Villa Park next month.