Matteo Guendouzi to Aston Villa could now be one step closer amid Marseille transfer ‘clue’

Aston Villa may have just made a significant step closer to signing Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, without any direct involvement of their own. Fresh reports surfacing on Friday afternoon suggest the Ligue 1 outfit are closing in on Morocco international Azzedine Ounahi, who plays in the same position as Guendouzi.

According to the reliable transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano, “Ounahi is on the verge of joining OM on permanent deal, deal now at final stages for €10 million fee”, amid interest from Villa in their current number six. Ounahi, who was one of Morocco’s best players during a history-making advance to the World Cup semi-finals, has been wanted by a whole host of clubs across Europe.

If he does indeed make the move to Marseille, it would open the door for Guendouzi to depart, which will be music to the ears of Villans after what has been a rather lengthy saga. It has been widely reported that the former Arsenal man is Unai Emery’s priority target in the January transfer window, and Marseille edging nearer to a replacement can only be seen as a step in the right direction.

Guendouzi, despite having a tricky end to his time at Arsenal, remains a top player. Becoming a key man for Marseille since departing the Emirates Stadium, first on loan before he sealed a permanent move last summer, Guendouzi has made 81 appearances. In that period he has scored nine goals and assisted a further 18.

Experienced in three of Europe’s top five leagues and having featured in the Champions League for Marseille, Guendouzi is no doubt a player capable of starting for Villa. He is also match-fit and raring to go immediately as he has played 100% of the minutes available to him in Ligue 1 this season.

He could come at quite the cost, though, as Marseille are said to value the 23-year-old at around €45 million. With the Villans targeting a late European push, however, a deal struck even around that total may well be seen as a worthwhile one. Emery’s side have until 11pm on Tuesday, January 31 to close the transfer.