Aston Villa's new recruit, Guessand, expresses his enthusiasm for joining the club, following the completion of his transfer agreement.
Aston Villa have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Evann Guessand from Nice for an initial fee of £26 million ($35 million), with additional £4.3 million in add-ons. The 24-year-old forward has put pen to paper on a five-year deal until 2030.
Guessand, a versatile and skillful forward known for his pace and goal-scoring abilities, had a standout season in 2024-25 with Nice in Ligue 1, netting 12 goals and providing 8 assists in 33 league matches. His impressive performances attracted interest from several European clubs, including Leeds United, Wolves, Real Sociedad, Crystal Palace, and RB Leipzig, as well as a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Neom. However, Guessand chose Aston Villa after discussions with manager Unai Emery.
The signing comes as Aston Villa seek to strengthen their frontline following the sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr and the departures of loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. Guessand's arrival is anticipated to improve the team's attacking prowess and overall performance ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, which begins at home against Newcastle next weekend.
Aston Villa's transfer activity has been relatively quiet so far, with only the signings of backup goalkeeper Marco Bizot and defender Yasin Ozcan, who has been loaned to Anderlecht. The acquisition of Guessand marks a significant addition to the team's roster, providing them with a much-needed boost in attack.
It's important to note that Guessand's transfer to Aston Villa was not a result of any prior agreement or negotiations. The Ivory Coast forward expressed his enthusiasm about joining Aston Villa, stating, "I'm ready to give my all. Every game, every kick, every minute."
In July, Aston Villa were sanctioned by UEFA for breaching financial regulations, but the club has been working diligently to address the issues and ensure compliance with the regulations moving forward.
With the arrival of Evann Guessand, Aston Villa fans can look forward to an exciting new chapter for the club as they aim to secure a strong start to the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Evann Guessand's arrival at Aston Villa is expected to enhance their attacking prowess in the upcoming Premier League season, as he joins from Nice after impressing in European leagues, particularly while playing in the Ligue 1. Guessand's goal-scoring ability and versatility made him a coveted transfer target for several clubs, including those in European-leagues such as Leeds United, Wolves, Real Sociedad, Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig, and even Neom in Saudi Arabia.
