A deal to take Matteo Guendouzi to Aston Villa in the future cannot be ruled out – but the player is focused and happy at Marseille, insider Dean Jones has claimed.
What’s the word?
Villa were reportedly keen on a move for the France international in the January transfer window, with Unai Emery wanting to reunite with the midfielder he signed for Arsenal in 2018.
However, a deal failed to materialise, and it remains to be seen whether the club will pursue the 24-year-old again in the summer or look elsewhere.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones claimed that Guendouzi may not favour a move back to the Premier League for now, but did not think Villa need to give up just yet.
He said: “We all see the Premier League as the be-all and end-all, but players don’t necessarily see that that way – especially players from abroad.
“I’d say it’s not impossible, but I also think that he’s probably going to focus on the here and now, and look at the job in hand.”
Nothing to prove?
Although some may argue that his improved form at Marseille following his controversial departure from Arsenal means that he has something to prove by returning to England, Guendouzi himself may think otherwise.
Since his departure from the Premier League, he has played in the Champions League, made the France squad for the World Cup and has flourished in domestic competition.
The midfielder has previously spoken about his preference to play in France than in England, claiming that the atmospheres in his native country are better than those found in the Premier League.
“The Marseille fans are incomparable. At Arsenal, there’s a big stadium, but it’s totally different. The best atmosphere is here. It’s incredible to play in front of a crowd like this, it really lifts the players,” he claimed in 2021.
Now that he feels comfortable at one of the biggest clubs in France, it seems unlikely that he would push too hard for a move back to the Premier League, even if Villa and Emery came calling – but who knows where his mind will be come the summer.