Aston Villa ready Matteo Guendouzi transfer as Lazio stance emerges
Matteo Guendouzi has emerged as a January target for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa remain on course for European qualification, despite having had a slow start to the campaign in the early days.
Their ability to maintain their current trajectory will largely depend on how well they recruit in the winter, with several areas in need of reinforcements.
One of those concerns Unai Emery‘s midfield options, with reports from Italy stating that the Villans are keeping an eye on Guendouzi.
Lazio could be willing to sell Matteo Guendouzi in January.
Guendouzi was linked with a switch back to the Premier League in the summer, though his importance at Lazio prevented a deal from materialising, with Sunderland showing the most interest.
Football Italia have since reported that Aston Villa have joined the race for the former Arsenal midfielder, with Maurizio Sarri no longer as fazed over the prospect of losing the French international.
It’s claimed that a bid in the region of £26million could be enough to progress negotiations over a transfer for Guendouzi, who has been a regular for the Serie A outfit ever since joining from Marseille.
Guendouzi has started nine of Lazio’s 11 league games so far this season, though he has emerged as the weak link despite having played such an important role in previous years.
Aston Villa’s midfield depth is relatively strong this season, though the addition of Guendouzi would strengthen it even further, and for a reasonable price given his experience.
How does Matteo Guendouzi compare to Aston Villa’s current midfield
With Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, Emery has three very good midfield options for a side that are looking to secure Champions League qualification.
However, after that, the level of depth drops substantially.
Guendouzi would not only rectify that, but he would also improve the level of creativity that Emery would have at his disposal in the middle of the park.
Stats taken from the current campaign showcase that Guenzoui averages more key passes per game than any of Villa’s current options.
Added to that, the Frenchman looks for a forward pass more often than not, which is often key for transitional play and breaking down defences.
Defensively, he offers less, but if partnered with Kamara, Villa could have the ideal duo.
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