Unai Emery is now determined to push through one signing for Aston Villa this summer and he prepares for Champions League football.
Emery is thought to have a significant influence on transfers at Villa, something that can’t be said for every Premier League manager right now.
It’s considered that Chelsea have appointed Enzo Maresca partly because of his willingness to be a head coach, rather than a figure who also likes to be at the heart of off-the-field decisions too.
Of course, Emery is the opposite, he’s an all-encompassing manager who likes the shape the club from top to bottom – an approach that didn’t quite fit at Arsenal.
But the Spaniard is strong in his convictions, something that is now paying dividends for Villa.
That being said, when Emery demands a transfer, the club are likely to listen, and perhaps that will be the case with former Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi.
Villa are known to be interested in the 25-year-old midfielder, who Emery worked with in north London.
And given Guendouzi is currently unsettled at Lazio, Emery is said to be personally pushing for the transfer.
Unai Emery determined to sign Matteo Guendouzi who is ‘fascinated’ by Premier League return
The update comes via Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport, who claim that Guendouzi is ‘fascinated’ by the opportunity to return to the Premier League.
The report details that on Emery’s demand, Villa would be willing to offer £26m for the France international.
Guendouzi is thought to be unsettled at Lazio right, uninspired by life under current boss Igor Tudor.
Never afraid to express his thoughts, the report says that Guendouzi is unhappy working with the manager, even if Lazio are determined to keep a player they consider as crucial to their next cycle.
Of course, Guendouzi’s arrival at Aston Villa may be linked with those who could leave, players such as Douglas Luiz.
Right now it seems as if the Brazilian is going nowhere, but some reports are beginning to gather pace.
Italian sources are claiming that Villa would be willing to accept a cash plus Weston McKennie deal to sell Luiz this summer, a player said to be on the club’s radar.
And whilst that’s all very hypothetical for now, Emery’s admiration for Guendouzi seems pretty concrete.