West Ham United transfer news as Marseille set £22.2m price tag for Matteo Guendouzi
West Ham United remain on the lookout to sign Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa also interested, according to Foot Mercato.
The “fantastic” former Arsenal midfielder has enjoyed another eventful campaign at the Stade Veledrome, registering two goals and four assists from 29 Ligue 1 matches this season.
The Hammers are expected to lose their captain Declan Rice at the end of the season with Arsenal and Chelsea pushing for his signature, meaning they must find a replacement and according to Foot Mercato [6 May], Marseille have set a price tag for any interested clubs.
“So what should we expect for the summer transfer window which will soon open its doors? On departures, of course. Matteo Guendouzi, for whom OM are asking around 25 million euros (£22.2), should return to the Premier League (Aston Villa are on pole, West Ham and Newcastle on the lookout).”
“But he is not the only one, since everyone is transferable according to the offers.”
Bargain
Rice is seen by many in the country as a quality defensive midfielder possessing the ability to break up play and burst through gaps from deep to progress the ball. Guendouzi is certainly of a similar ilk and one which West Ham United should be going for.
The 23-year-old has propelled his game to new heights during his time at Marseille, and is certainly ready for a return to the Premier League, following his difficult spell at Arsenal.
Considering the going rate for defensive midfielders these days and the potential marquee fee the Hammers could receive for Rice this summer, spending £22.2m makes all the sense in the world for the Irons to exploit this summer. In fact, it’s a bargain.
Quality defensive midfielders are desperately hard to come by these days and West Ham United have certainly be linked with several others to potentially replace Rice, and Guendouzi certainly fits the profile.
An exceptional talent certainly ready to prove himself in the English top flight again. He deserves that chance.