Evann Guessand: Aston Villa agree £30m deal to land clinical Ivory Coast striker

Guessand is set to undergo a medical at Aston Villa on Wednesday to become Aston Villa's first major addition of the summer window.

The Ivorian striker scored 12 goals and earned Nice’s player of the season award during their fourth-place Ligue 1 finish last term.

Guessand, previously targeted by Crystal Palace, will be Villa’s first significant signing this summer, following Yasin Ozcan, who joined from Kasimpasa but was loaned to Anderlecht, and backup goalkeeper Marco Bizot, signed from Brest for an undisclosed fee.

Villa have sought a new forward since Jhon Duran’s January move to Al-Nassr left Ollie Watkins as their sole senior striker. Marcus Rashford, on loan at Villa Park last season, has now joined Barcelona.

Guessand, a product of Nice’s youth academy, signed a four-year deal with the club last summer.

He debuted for Ivory Coast in June 2024, earning nine caps.

Unai Emery's men secured sixth place and Europa League qualification last season, and kick off their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United at home on Saturday, August 16.