MARSEILLE have decided to sell Matteo Guendouzi and have reportedly lined up a Chelsea star as his replacement.
The French giants are getting prepared for a busy summer transfer window and former Arsenal star Guendouzi is one of the first stars set to be shipped out.
And, according to a report from Foot Mercato, they want Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria instead.
The Swiss international midfielder joined the Blues from Juventus in the summer on a temporary deal with an option to buy.
But the Blues look unlikely to trigger the purchase option with big-spending owner Todd Boehly in desperate need of a major clearout.
Now Marseille, who the French outlet say have a good relationship with Juventus, have put Zakaria top of their own shopping list.
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But they will have to shift Guendouzi first to afford him.
Marseille hope to bring in around £18million for the France star.
Guendouzi initially joined from Arsenal on loan in 2021 before signing a three-year permanent seal in the following season, lasting until 2025.
And his performances have been stellar, making it into France’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
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Guendouzi was linked to Aston Villa back in January for a reunion with his old Gunners boss Unai Emery.
Emery signed the 26-year-old for £7million for Arsenal back in 2018.
Since becoming boss at Villa this season, Emery has pushed his transfer team to land Guendouzi, with reports back in January suggesting the team was prepared to pay £30million.
Guendouzi is now viewed as Villa’s priority signing, but also has interest from other Premier League outfits.
West Ham are expected to lose Declan Rice this summer, and have been eyeing Guendouzi as a potential replacement.
Newcastle United have also been said to be in the race to land him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
