Newcastle United reportedly want to sign Matteo Guendouzi in the summer of 2022.
That’s according to French website Foot Mercato, who claim the Magpies are big fans of the 22-year-old midfielder.
Guendouzi is currently playing in Ligue 1 for Marseille, who he joined on loan from Arsenal in July.
Marseille have an option to make the deal permanent, and it seems likely that they will.
He’s having a strong season for Jorge Sampaoli’s side, after falling out of favour at Arsenal back in 2020.
But could the midfielder join Marseille permanently next summer then immediately sign for Newcastle?
Matteo Guendouzi rumour feels unlikely
Talk of Guendouzi moving to Newcastle seems odd, especially considering what has happened at St James’ Park this week.
It looked like Unai Emery was going to become the club’s next manager, but that move collapsed on Wednesday. Instead, the Spaniard will be staying with Villarreal.
Now it looks like Eddie Howe will be the next Newcastle United boss.
But why is this significant to the Magpies’ reported interest in Guendouzi?
Well, the youngster first burst onto the scene when he was signed by Arsenal in 2018. And who was managing the Gunners back then? None other than Unai Emery.
The 50-year-old gave Guendouzi his big break in the Premier League, and it initially looked like an inspired decision. Despite his tentative years, Guendouzi performed well in the early months of Emery’s tenure.
But he was sacked in November 2019 and replaced by Mikel Arteta. Just shy of a year later, Guendouzi was loaned out after discipline problems.
If Emery had been named Newcastle manager, this rumour would be very feasible. However, it now makes little sense.
Perhaps the rumour is just a knock on effect of agent talk following the Emery speculation. But regardless, Emery definitely won’t be joining Newcastle, and it would be a surprise if Guendouzi did next summer.
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