Newcastle ready to pay clause

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to pay the €50m release clause of Lazio defensive midfielder Matteo Guendouzi this summer.

The Frenchman may have flopped at Arsenal earlier in his career, but he’s shone during his time in Serie A and could now get another chance in the Premier League.

According to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, with translation from Sport Witness, Newcastle are now showing a strong interest in Guendouzi.

The report suggests that both Newcastle and Aston Villa would be ready to pay the €50m required to trigger Guendouzi’s release clause at Lazio.

This follows Sunderland also recently being linked with the 26-year-old, though that price would surely be too expensive for them.

Matteo Guendouzi lined up for return to the Premier League

Newcastle could do well to bring Guendouzi in this summer, though at the same time it’s slightly hard to imagine he’d be a regular starter.

The Magpies already have impressive performers like Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton as options in the middle of the park.

Still, more squad depth is always useful, and they’ll certainly need it as they’ll have more games next season after qualifying for the Champions League.

Should Guendouzi join Newcastle or Villa?

Newcastle’s project is undoubtedly an exciting one, so it’s easy to imagine Guendouzi being tempted to join.

Villa are also a club on the cup, however, and might be better-placed to offer the former Arsenal midfielder regular playing time, as well as a reunion with his former manager Unai Emery.

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Ultimately, these are both fine clubs and Guendouzi would surely be pretty happy with either of them, unless he’s not keen on another spell in English football.

Lazio would reportedly like to keep hold of him, so perhaps they’ll be able to convince him to turn down offers and stay at the Stadio Olimpico.