The upcoming January transfer window is already shaping up to be another fascinating period for both Newcastle United and Sunderland, especially after the dramatic levels of spending seen in the summer.
Newcastle broke their transfer record to bring in Nick Woltemade and managed one of the most impressive signings of the window by securing Malick Thiaw for £35 million. Sunderland, newly promoted and eager to establish themselves, went even further and spent over £180 million, a figure that shocked many across the football world.
With that sort of ambition, it is no surprise that the two clubs are once again being linked with some of the same targets as the next window approaches.
Reports from Italy now suggest that both clubs could be competing for the signature of Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, although the player is believed to prefer a move to Newcastle rather than Sunderland.
According to Calciomercato, Sunderland’s efforts to bring the French international to Wearside have already hit problems. The midfielder is said to be far more interested in joining Newcastle or Aston Villa, partly because both clubs can offer European football.
The idea of playing in Europe again is said to be a major factor in his thinking, and it’s understood he has already turned down advances from Sunderland, who reportedly offered around £20 million an amount Lazio are expected to reject as they hold out for a higher fee.
Guendouzi’s connection with Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris, who worked with him during their time together at Lorient, may not be enough to sway the player’s decision. The pull of European football appears stronger than reuniting with his former manager.
Newcastle, having appeared in two Champions League campaigns in the last three seasons, can offer the highest level of competition during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
Aston Villa are competing in the Europa League under Unai Emery, a manager Guendouzi knows well from their period together at Arsenal. Both teams present him with a stage closer to the top of the game, something Sunderland simply cannot match right now.
Of course, there is always the possibility that these links to Newcastle and Villa are being driven by the player’s representatives to increase pressure on Sunderland to raise their bid or improve the contract terms on offer.
It would not be the first time a story like this has emerged during the post-takeover era, especially when agents are aware that Newcastle’s name carries weight in negotiations.
Even so, several signs do point toward Newcastle having a genuine interest in strengthening their midfield, especially after recent links to Roma’s Manu Koné and other defensive-minded options.
When you look closely at the type of players Newcastle have been connected with, a pattern does begin to emerge. Guendouzi shares traits with names like Scott McTominay and Conor Gallagher, both of whom boast Premier League experience and bring a high-energy, combative approach to the centre of the pitch.
Newcastle have also been active in the Italian market, having signed Thiaw and, before that, Sandro Tonali. These connections all point toward a clear recruitment strategy focused on midfielders capable of both pressing and protecting the back line.
However, questions remain about whether Guendouzi fully fits the long-term profile the recruitment team appears to be targeting. He is not the young creative playmaker Newcastle have been tipped to pursue following links with rising talents such as Kees Smit.
There are also concerns about the Frenchman’s temperament. Throughout his career, Guendouzi has gained a reputation for having a fiery and sometimes problematic attitude, something that has affected his relationships with previous managers and clubs.
Ross Wilson’s recruitment approach has leaned towards younger players with high upside and strong future resale value rather than older, more established names who may not offer much return beyond their immediate impact.
Newcastle already have a crowded midfield group, and adding someone like Guendouzi, who does not entirely fit the stylistic or age profile usually favoured, would be a surprising move unless the deal presented remarkable value.
For now, it remains clear that the player sees Newcastle as a more appealing destination than Sunderland, and the gap in European opportunities seems to be the deciding factor.
Whether Newcastle choose to act on this interest or whether the rumours are simply part of negotiation tactics will become clearer as January approaches. But the early signs suggest another intense window is coming, with both clubs ready to make bold moves though one appears far more attractive to Guendouzi than the other.
