Aston Villa have completed the signing of Ivorian forward Evann Guessand from French side OGC Nice for an initial £26 million, with £4.3 million in potential add-ons.
The 24-year-old, who scored 12 goals last season and was named Nice’s Player of the Season, strengthens Unai Emery’s attacking options ahead of the new campaign.
Born in France but capped nine times by Ivory Coast, Guessand arrives as competition and support for Ollie Watkins, currently Villa’s only recognised centre forward following the loan exits of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio.
“When I heard the club wanted me, I didn’t think twice,” said Guessand. “I’m ready to give my all — every game, every kick, every minute.”
This marks Villa’s second major signing of the summer after bringing in goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest.
The club’s transfer activity has been shaped by financial fair play constraints. Earlier this summer, UEFA fined Villa £9.5 million for breaching cost control rules, with an additional £12.9 million fine suspended, pending compliance over the next three years.
