Aston Villa target Matteo Guendouzi would be a ‘great fit’ under manager Unai Emery, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has told GiveMeSport.

The Midlands outfit have been heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old during the January transfer window after he has successfully rebuilt his career at Marseille.

Aston Villa transfer news – Guendouzi

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs previously revealed that Marseille are set to demand €50 million (£44m) for Guendouzi but that Villa were only planning on making an initial offer worth between €25m (£22m) and €30m (£26.5m).

French outlet L’Equipe have since stated that the Villans have made the combative midfielder a ‘fabulous offer’ and Unai Emery admitted that making further additions this month is a possibility.

"If we can do it, then we can add some players, but not specifically speaking about one name like Matteo,” he said.

“The possibility is to improve and have better balance in the squad with different profiles and trying to improve every time the players in the team."

BirminghamLive have claimed that both Morgan Sanson and Marvelous Nakamba have been told they are free to leave Villa by Emery, opening the door for Guendouzi to replace them.

What has Taylor said about Guendouzi?

Villa have already brought in left-back Alex Moreno from Real Betis this winter and striker Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

And Taylor has told GMS that there is ‘public interest’ from the Villa fanbase in the Guendouzi deal and that there is a ‘sense’ it can be completed before the January 31 deadline.

He said: “With Guendouzi, though, there is public interest. There was a sense that Villa could potentially get that deal done. I do see him as a great fit for Villa as well.”

Do Villa need Guendouzi?

Villa currently have the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Leander Dendoncker and Jacob Ramsey to call upon in the middle of the park.

However, if Sanson and Nakamba do depart the club, then Emery may want to bring in someone to provide extra cover and competition in what is a key area of the pitch.

And there is little doubt that Guendouzi has the potential to be a solid addition to Villa’s ranks given he has registered nine goals and 18 assists in 81 appearances for Marseille.

Emery will know all about Guendouzi’s attributes from their time at Arsenal together too, potentially eliminating some of the risk attached to this transfer.