West Ham United transfer news as Matteo Guendouzi signing perfect for £30m+
Marseille are resigned to losing Matteo Guendouzi this summer and the midfielder would be the perfect way for West Ham United to spend their transfer purse, according to Jonathan Johnson.
Writing in his CaughtOffside column (11 May), the CBS journalist shared that a move for the 24-year-old would tick a lot of boxes for West Ham, considering the likely money they will have to spend after the sale of Declan Rice.
Despite this, David Moyes’ side are set to face competition for his services from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
L’Equipe previously reported (20 April) that the Hammers were lining up a move for the French international if Rice were to leave this summer, with a fee of around £35million expected to be enough to get the deal over the line.
He wrote: “Still, assuming Rice does move on, Guendouzi would be a logical way for them to use that money, but with what’s gone on in the Premier League this season I’m not sure West Ham would be seen as the most attractive destination, unless they can pull off something special in the Europa Conference League.
“Wherever he ends up, I think Marseille are resigned to losing Guendouzi this summer, and it’ll be interesting to see what he can achieve if he does return to the Premier League, as I think he’s improved a lot since his difficult spell at Arsenal as a youngster.”
Great replacement
West Ham United are expected to have a war chest in excess of £100million to attack the transfer window with if the sale of Rice is complete early doors, and a move for Guendouzi ticks a lot of boxes.
Without the English international in the heart of midfield, Moyes will be extremely short of options, with Tomas Soucek, Flynn Downes and Lucas Paqueta his only other alternatives.
Guendouzi has highlighted his versatility for both Marseille and the French international team over the last couple of years, being able to play as a defensive-minded midfielder or in more attacking areas.
The Frenchman was always highly rated at Arsenal but has only moved from strength to strength since leaving the Emirates in 2020.
For a fee of around £35million, this seems like a no-brainer if the Hammers can lure him to the London Stadium.
However, Aston Villa will likely be the favourites for his signature, considering that Guendouzi and Unai Emery worked together at Arsenal, and the West Midlands are better placed to offer the possibility of European football.