Newcastle United and Aston Villa ‘ready to bet’ on signing – €50m transfer feels unlikely
Newcastle United and Aston Villa Eye Lazio’s Guendouzi as Transfer Race Heats Up
Newcastle United and Aston Villa are reportedly among the clubs considering a summer move for Lazio’s combative midfielder Mateo Guendouzi. According to multiple reports from Italy, including Corriere della Sera, both Premier League sides are weighing up serious approaches for the former Arsenal star — with speculation growing that his €50 million price tag might even be met.
The 25-year-old Frenchman has continued to attract attention in Serie A with his high-energy performances and tenacity in the heart of Lazio’s midfield. His displays have not gone unnoticed in England, where Newcastle and Villa — two clubs with European ambitions — are said to be looking at Guendouzi as a potential reinforcement ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Interestingly, Guendouzi had also been linked recently with a surprise switch to Sunderland, though those rumours quickly fizzled out when the Championship side opted to strike a deal for RC Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra instead. That development, however, hasn’t slowed down the speculation surrounding Guendouzi’s future.
Italian outlets suggest that a bidding war could develop between Newcastle and Villa in the coming weeks, with both clubs “ready to bet” on his signature. Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri is reportedly eager to keep the midfielder, seeing him as a vital part of his plans for next season. However, the financial pressures at the Roman club mean that a major sale may be necessary to fund other squad improvements.
While the €50m valuation has been repeated in Italian media, there remains widespread doubt — even among those same sources — about whether any Premier League club would actually be willing to meet that figure. Though Newcastle and Villa have both shown a willingness to spend in recent windows, paying that fee for Guendouzi would be seen as a major gamble, particularly considering his mixed spells at previous clubs.
Ultimately, if an official bid were to reach Lazio’s asking price, the decision could come down to the player himself. Guendouzi may need to choose between staying in Rome under a manager who trusts him, or taking another shot at the Premier League — this time with a team fighting for European honours.
As it stands, there is no official offer on the table, but both clubs are expected to continue monitoring the situation closely, with a potential move developing as the window progresses.