Enigmatic ex-Arsenal star on West Ham's radar as potential Declan Rice replacement: Reports

Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is reportedly on West Ham United's radar as a potential replacement for the exit-linked Declan Rice.

The English midfielder has drawn interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window. His contract at the London Stadium expires in June 2024 but he could end up leaving the Hammers at the end of the season.

West Ham are thus in the market to sign a new defensive midfielder. As per David Ornstein of the Athletic, via Get Football News France, Guendouzi has emerged as a viable option.

The French midfielder spent four years on Arsenal's books, making 82 senior appearances across competitions before permanently joining Olympique de Marseille last summer. He has registered five goals and as many assists in 40 games for the French club this season.

Guendouzi is known for his tenacity and aggression on the pitch. He can play as a No. 6 as well as a No. 8 and has already earned seven senior caps for France. The 24-year-old will still have two years on his contract at the end of the season.

It remains to be seen how the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) academy player will react to an offer from a Premier League. He was more or less forced to leave the Gunners after his relationship with Mikel Arteta started to turn sour in 2020.

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West Ham target Matteo Guendouzi has already explained why he left Arsenal

Matteo Guendouzi only started eight games under Mikel Arteta after he became Arsenal's manager in December 2019.

It was clear that the French midfielder wasn't a big part of the Spaniard's plans at the Emirates. Guendouzi ultimately packed his bags and joined Olympique de Marseille on a permanent basis last summer.

After joining the French giants, Guendouzi gave an interview in October explaining why he had to leave the Gunners. He said, via GOAL France:

"It is true that I did not have the best relationship with him (Arteta). Afterwards, I always tried to work, always gave the maximum of myself in training and in matches. I still played a few matches with him, I still did great performances.

Guendouzi added:

"He preferred other players and I respect that decision. That's why afterwards I also decided to leave because I was still young, I needed playing time to continue playing. progress. The most important thing when you're young is to play."

The former Arsenal midfielder still has a lot of years ahead of him to fulfil his potential. If he moves to West Ham United, he could be replacing their captain Declan Rice, who has missed just 13 league games since the start of the 2018-19 season.