Newcastle hold crucial edge over Sunderland in Matteo Guendouzi race, ‘£20m’ bid to spark shock twist
Newcastle may yet be able to snatch Matteo Guendouzi away from Sunderland in the January transfer window.
The former Arsenal midfielder is being heavily linked with a return to the Premier League this winter, with the Black Cats seemingly at the forefront of the race at the moment.
Former Sunderland and Manchester United scout Mick Brown recently revealed to Football Insider that Guendouzi would be open to a move to Sunderland in order to reunite with his former boss Regis Le Bris, whom he played under at Lorient.
The Wearsiders have seemingly emerged as the leading candidate to secure the midfielder’s signature up until now, but they could now be about to find themselves facing a fight to get the deal done.
Newcastle to tempt Guendouzi with European football amid Sunderland bid
Sunderland’s interest in Guendouzi is serious ahead of the January window, and they have already materialised that in the form of an offer for the Lazio man.
Le Bris’ men are understood to have offered a fee of £20million for the 26-year-old, according to Calcio Mercato.
However, the Italian outlet believe that to be unsatisfactory for Lazio, despite their “urgent need” to cash in on the Frenchman.
Sunderland are speaking to Guendouzi’s camp about the possibility of a deal, but they are not deemed to be an overly attractive proposition at the moment.
Newcastle and Aston Villa are also named as interested parties, and they would surely hold the edge in the race due to their ability to offer European football in the second half of the season.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies are still well-placed to qualify for next phase of the Champions League, while Villa are effectively a shoo-in to reach the knockouts of the Europa League.
Newcastle may be forced into action by the bid from their rivals, and they would surely be a more attractive proposition for Guendouzi right now.
What does Eddie Howe think of Matteo Guendouzi?
Newcastle want to add Roma’s Manu Kone to their ranks in January, but Guendouzi has also been a long-term target.
The Tynesiders were chasing a move for the ex-Arsenal star way back in April, when Tutto Mercato revealed that Howe “likes” Guendouzi as a technical and tactical profile.
Given how long their interest has now persisted for, it would be a huge surprise if Newcastle don’t try and muscle their way into this race in January.
Their horrific lack of consistency will surely prompt a significant winter spend in a bid to try and climb the Premier League table, and Guendouzi will surely be one of those to come in.