Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a breakthrough in the race for a highly sought-after forward, with Aston Villa sealing a move for a player previously targeted by Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa look set to secure a key signing this summer, lifting spirits after a relatively quiet start to the window.
Until now, Villa had only finalised two permanent transfers, both underwhelming in scale. Youngster Zepiqueno Redmond joined for free from PSV Eindhoven and will link up with the U21s, while Marco Bizot arrived from Stade Brestois to serve as backup to Emi Martínez following Robin Olsen’s exit.
Unai Emery has been eager to strengthen his squad further, but financial limitations have posed a challenge. Villa eased Premier League PSR concerns by agreeing to sell their women’s team, yet UEFA’s squad cost rules still require a tighter wage structure.
As a result, departures have been prioritised—but now, Villa appear to have made a breakthrough to sign a high-potential attacker. Emery has been chasing a versatile forward who can cut in from wide areas, and it seems that pursuit is finally paying off.
Romano: Villa Schedule Medical for £30.5m Signing
Reports suggest Villa have beaten Crystal Palace in the race to sign OGC Nice forward Evann Guessand. Talks escalated on Tuesday, and a full agreement was quickly reached between the clubs.
Fabrizio Romano, famous for his reliable transfer scoops, provided the latest update. The Italian journalist revealed that the 24-year-old is on the verge of completing his move to Villa Park.
“Evann Guessand to Aston Villa, here we go!” Romano posted on X. “Verbal agreement in place after €30m plus €5m add-ons bid accepted. OGC Nice have authorised Guessand to travel for medical and contract signing. New striker for Unai Emery.”
According to The Telegraph, Villa have beaten Palace to Guessand’s signature. The Ivorian, likened to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, had been close to a switch to Selhurst Park before Villa made their move.
Where Will Guessand Fit in at Villa?
Though often labelled a striker, Guessand isn’t a typical centre-forward. The 10-cap Ivory Coast international is more of a second striker or wide forward, capable of bursting into the box from deeper positions—much like Morgan Rogers.
He had a standout 2024/25 season at Nice, scoring 12 goals and assisting nine more in 33 Ligue 1 matches—far surpassing his output the previous year.
With a final fee of around €35m (£30.5m) after add-ons, Guessand is a significant investment. Villa don’t have much financial flexibility, so it’s a bold move—but one that fits exactly what Emery has been looking for.
Guessand’s arrival should give Villa a dynamic new option in attack and add much-needed depth ahead of a challenging campaign.
