Newcastle United once again linked with 'brilliant' Lazio midfielder but are now joined by local rivals
It's a link that doesn't seem to want to go away. Newcastle United have once again been credited with an interest in Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.
The former Arsenal man's name has popped up many times next to that of Newcastle in recent times, but there has been little to suggest that there's a genuine interest from the Magpies.
However, once again, reports from Italy are suggesting that Newcastle are still keen on the player that Mesut Ozil once called 'brilliant'.
This time, though, the reports have also mentioned another Premier League side as being interested in Guendouzi too ... local rivals, Sunderland.
Sunderland could be the frontrunners if Matteo Guendouzi is eyeing a return to the Premier League
Get Football News Italy has relayed a report from TMW which states that Sunderland has joined Newcastle and Aston Villa in their interest in the 26-year-old.
Fabrizio Romano has added fuel to the Sunderland fire by quoting Regis Le Bris, saying he's still in contact with Guendouzi after working together at Lorient.
We can certainly see Sunderland being keen on Matteo Guendouzi, and he would actually be a phenomenal signing for the Black Cats.
Guendouzi simply doesn't fit at Newcastle United
We don't see him being a realistic target for Newcastle, though, purely because he wouldn't pass the d*ckhead test.
He was noted for a bad attitude when at Arsenal, and Paulo Dybala even called him a 'big mouth' on a podcast last year, going on to say that he would pick on the younger players in Italy.
Matteo Guendouzi has the talent, but Eddie Howe doesn't want any players who are more about themselves than the team, and Guendouzi seems like that kind of player through and through. No thanks.
