Matteo Guendouzi Targeted by Newcastle and Villa

Matteo Guendouzi is once again one of the most talked-about midfielders in Europe, with reports in Italy and England confirming that both Newcastle United and Aston Villa have opened informal discussions about triggering his €50 million (£43 m) release clause at Lazio this summer.

Why Matteo Guendouzi Fits Premier League Midfields

An all-action style, relentless engine and fearless personality have long made Matteo Guendouzi a logical fit for English football. During his initial Premier League stint with Arsenal, the Frenchman showed he could break lines with progressive passing while also providing bite in the tackle. Those traits have been refined in Ligue 1 with Marseille and, most recently, in Serie A with Lazio, where coach Maurizio Sarri has trusted him in multiple midfield roles. Recruiting a 25-year-old who already owns more than 250 senior appearances represents an opportunity for any club seeking instant quality and medium-term upside.

Newcastle’s Midfield Rebuild

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle squad looks set for significant reshuffling. Sandro Tonali’s long suspension and persistent injuries to Joelinton and Joe Willock have left Bruno Guimarães isolated as the primary controller. The recruitment team at St James’ Park therefore wants a dynamic No.8 who can both share the creative load and supply defensive intensity. Guendouzi’s ability to win second balls and launch counters aligns perfectly with Howe’s high-octane blueprint. Crucially, the Magpies also retain a favourable relationship with his representatives after exploring a move last January.

Aston Villa’s Ambitious Summer Plan

Unai Emery worked with Matteo Guendouzi at Arsenal and is believed to be a major driving force behind Villa’s interest. Emery values midfielders who can compress space quickly, and Guendouzi’s aggressive press underlines that requirement. With Champions League qualification now a realistic target for the Birmingham side, sporting director Monchi is prepared to authorise at least one marquee signing in the middle of the park. Guendouzi’s competitive salary expectations—around £100,000 per week—fit within Villa’s growing but still carefully managed wage structure.

Release Clause and Financial Considerations

Lazio inserted a €50 million clause when completing the loan-plus-obligation deal from Marseille last summer. While president Claudio Lotito is publicly adamant that figure must be met in full, Italian sources suggest room for negotiation if the fee is paid up-front. Newcastle have the financial muscle to meet the clause immediately, yet they remain mindful of Premier League Profit & Sustainability Regulations. Aston Villa, meanwhile, could offset costs by entertaining bids for fringe players such as Leander Dendoncker or Jhon Durán. Both Premier League clubs may also seek a structured payment schedule to ensure compliance with domestic spending caps.

Serie A Perspective on Guendouzi’s Future

From a Lazio standpoint, selling after only one season would appear counterintuitive. Sarri views the Frenchman as a cornerstone for the future, but Italy’s television revenue gap compared with England provides a compelling economic argument. Should Newcastle or Villa deliver a compelling offer early in the window, Lazio could reinvest in two or three areas of need, including a new striker to ease Ciro Immobile’s workload.

Player Profile and Recent Progression

Statistically, Guendouzi averages 2.3 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 5.8 progressive passes per 90 minutes in Serie A this term—figures that eclipse many Premier League peers in his age bracket. Off the ball, he ranks among the top 10% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for pressures in the final third. Internationally, he has accumulated seven caps for France and remains on Didier Deschamps’ long list for Euro 2024, meaning consistent game time in a competitive league is vital.

What Happens Next?

Both English clubs have completed exhaustive scouting missions and will now decide whether to formalise interest. Newcastle’s hierarchy is keen to finalise priority targets before pre-season starts in July, while Villa are prepared to wait if it means extracting more favourable instalments from Lazio. Guendouzi himself is understood to prefer a return to England, partly because his partner and young family settled well in London during his Arsenal spell. However, he is equally attracted by the prospect of Champions League football, something Villa could realistically offer if they maintain their current trajectory.

Opinion: The Best Move for Guendouzi

If all three parties can strike a compromise, a transfer to Villa Park might edge the race. Working again under Emery in a tactical framework he already knows could accelerate Matteo Guendouzi’s development and keep him squarely in the French national-team conversation. Yet, Newcastle’s project and St James’ Park atmosphere remain tempting. Whichever decision he makes, Guendouzi looks set to become one of the headline movers of the 2024 summer window.