Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and West Ham United are interested in signing former Gunner Matteo Guendouzi, according to reports in France.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Matteo Guendouzi of Marseille reacts during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Matteo Guendouzi of Marseille reacts during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 07, 2022. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

L’Equipe (via GFFN) report that Premier League trio Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and West Ham United are all interested in bringing Matteo Guendouzi back to the Premier League.

Previously a guaranteed starter with Marseille, Guendouzi is starting to drop out of the lineup more regularly in recent months.

The former Gunner played all 38 Ligue 1 games for the side last season, starting 35 of them and playing the full 90 in 30 of those starts.

This campaign started similarly, but in the last three months he’s dropped to the bench on four of 12 occasions, come off at half-time in three more games, and only completed 90 minutes twice.

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It’s now reportedly the expectation that Guendouzi will leave Marseille this summer.

West Ham are lining up Guendouzi as a possible replacement for Declan Rice, whilst Villa already made an unsuccessful move for the midfielder in the January window.

A transfer to Villa Park would mean a reunion with Unai Emery, of course.

Newcastle are reportedly the least likely of the three to make a move, but they remain in the race along with multiple unnamed Italian sides.

Marseille's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi warms up prior to the UEFA Conference League semi-final football match between Feyenoord and Olympique Marseille (OM) at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, on April 28, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille’s French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi warms up prior to the UEFA Conference League semi-final football match between Feyenoord and Olympique Marseille (OM) at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, on April 28, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite his recent dip, Guendouzi has still made 38 appearances for Marseille overall this season, scoring five goals.

It looks as though they’ll make it into next season’s Champions League, but it’s a close thing.

Only the top three teams in France can qualify for Europe’s top-tier competition each season, and only the top two go straight into the group stage without a qualifier.

Though Marseille sit second, they’re only three points clear of fourth, with a marginally superior goal difference.

Guendouzi’s current side finished last in their Champions League group this season, and they were knocked out of the Coupe De France by Ligue 2 side FC Annecy.

With PSG eight points ahead, qualifying for the Champions League looks like the only way for Marseille to salvage something from their season.

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