Aston Villa are now set to submit a bid to sign a midfielder Unai Emery knows quite well.
The central midfield department seems to be a priority for the Spaniard and Monchi – Director of Football at Villa Park – with Chelsea No.23 Conor Gallagher also believed to be a target.
Now – however – Aston Villa are preparing an offer to sign a different central midfielder, one Unai Emery knows personally…
Aston Villa ready to make Matteo Guendouzi bid
A story by Corriere dello Sport in Italy now states that Aston Villa are set to make an offer to sign Lazio No.8 Matteo Guendouzi.
The Italian news outlet believe the France international wants to leave Rome after falling out with Igor Tudor.
Lazio hope to earn €30m (£26m) from selling Guendouzi, a sum of money Aston Villa are now set to put on the table, according to Corriere dello Sport.
It was Emery who signed the Frenchman for Arsenal back in July 2018 in a £7m deal from Lorient, handing the man from Poissy a total of 66 appearances for the Gunners.
Lazio sound very open to selling Guendouzi, as Corriere dello Sport explain how a sale could ‘open the market’ for the Italian giants – which, presumably, means they will be able to pursue their own targets more aggressively with this £26m cash injection.
The Italian news outlet add that Emery is the one pushing for Aston Villa to sign the 25-year-old.
What Unai Emery has previously said about the Frenchman
As aforesaid, Emery worked with Guendouzi at Arsenal, and had some interesting comments to share about the midfielder – both as a footballer and a person.
READ MORE: After Ross Barkley move, Aston Villa have now made contact about signing £15m player as well
The 52-year-old told Goal in 2019: “Really, I like that spirit he has, he has talent but above all his attitude, his energy, his commitment and his behaviour. He’s one player who is angry when he is not playing but I like that.
“I like that player because when they are angry they are asking you to play, when you decide that they play today they know they have a commitment to give what you need and he is one player, he is improving.”
Clearly, Emery has a soft spot for Guendouzi, and the pair could now reunite in the Midlands.