According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, West Ham is considering signing Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi as a possible replacement for Declan Rice this summer, relays the HammerNews.
If Rice departs, signing a top-quality replacement will be the top priority for David Moyes in the transfer window. Arsenal is strongly linked with a move for Rice at the end of the current season, and the Hammers are reportedly interested in bringing Guendouzi back to the Premier League, having been linked with him previously.
David Moyes is reportedly considering Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi as a potential replacement for Declan Rice at West Ham this summer, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. However, it should be noted that Guendouzi cannot be considered as a direct replacement for the English midfielder. If he were to join West Ham, it would need to be in addition to another top-class midfielder like Ibrahim Sangare, Khephren Thuram, or Teun Koopmeiners.
Guendouzi is known for his tenacious tackling, high energy and stamina levels, and his proficiency in passing. He typically plays as a deep-lying midfielder whose primary objective is to protect the back four and dictate the tempo of the game. This season, he has made 1.1 tackles per match in 30 Ligue 1 appearances, while recording an average of 36.1 passes per game with an impressive completion rate of 88.2%. Guendouzi has already proven himself in the rough and fast-paced nature of the Premier League during his time with Arsenal.