West Ham are “interested” in buying Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, according to The Athletic journalist Roshane Thomas.

The website’s Hammers correspondent claims that the former Arsenal star is being lined up as a “potential replacement” for Declan Rice:

#WHUFC are interested in Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi as a potential replacement for Declan Rice. https://t.co/gePSPFZZ7L

— Roshane Thomas (@RoshaneSport) May 8, 2023

Guendouzi was originally linked with a move to the London Stadium in the French media before the transfer deadline in January, when the midfielder’s valuation was set at around £30m. That is a lot more than the €11m (£9.6m) that Marseille paid to sign the Frenchman on a permanent basis from Arsenal almost twelve months ago.

It should be noted that both Aston Villa (whose manager Unai Emery worked with the player at the Gunners), and Newcastle have also been mentioned as potential suitors for the 24-year-old in recent weeks. It is, therefore, unlikely that West Ham will have a clear run to secure his signature when the summer transfer window opens.