Aston Villa are lining up a big move for former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi as they look to back new boss Unai Emery and move them back into the top half of the Premier League.
The Villains have already agreed a £14m to add Alex Moreno to their squad from Real Betis, raising questions over the future of current left-back Lucas Digne in Emery’s long term plans.
Now, they look set to splash the cash once more, with a central midfielder high on the Spanish managers’ list. In recent weeks, Leandro Dendonker, Douglas Luiz, John Mcginn and summer addition Boubacar Kamara have all been trialled in central midfield, but none have fully convinced the former Villarreal boss.
As a result, he is reportedly ready to dip back into the transfer market in order to be reunited with former player Guendouzi, who he was responsible for bringing to England from Lorient.
Under Emery, the then-teenage Frenchman shone in the Gunners engine room, making 66 appearances for the Arsenal boss and his form sparking links to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid before he fell out with Mikel Arteta and ultimately departed north London.
He has since rebuilt his career in France, and was part of Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad that finished as runners-up in Qatar after losing on penalties to Argentina last month.
His arrival would leave the future of several already in the Villains midfield uncertain, with McGinn a pivotal part of previous sides and Luiz signing a new deal at the club last summer.
