Birmingham: Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nice striker Evann Guessand for £26m plus £4.3m in add-ons. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast forward, who scored 12 goals last season and was named player of the season, joins Villa Park to enhance Unai Emery’s striking options, with Ollie Watkins previously being the only recognized centre forward in the squad.
According to BBC, Guessand's arrival marks Villa's second first-team signing of the summer following the acquisition of goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest. Villa's summer transfer activities have been influenced by the need to comply with Premier League and UEFA financial rules. Earlier this summer, the club was fined by UEFA for breaching squad cost ratio rules, resulting in an initial £9.5m fine, with a further £12.9m fine conditional on compliance over a three-year period.
Guessand, known for his speed and technical abilities, has drawn comparisons to Didier Drogba due to his style of play and nationality. However, experts note that Drogba was a more accomplished striker at a similar stage in his career. Despite a slight dip in form towards the end of last season, Guessand's progress remained significant, finishing as runner-up for the Marc-Vivien Foé Award for Ligue 1's best African Player of the Year 2025.
BBC Sport journalist Matthew Hobbs highlights Guessand's versatility, drawing parallels with Marcus Rashford's role in Emery's squad. Guessand's ability to play across the front line, coupled with his impressive performance statistics, positions him as a valuable asset for Villa. His proficiency in dribbling and defensive contributions, particularly in regaining possession, is expected to provide tactical flexibility and enhance the squad's performance in the upcoming season.