Evann Guessand to Coventry City talked up as Aston Villa set for massive financial hit
Evann Guessand could find his way out of Aston Villa after just 12 months.
The Ivory Coast joined the Villans last summer in an exciting £35million move from Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.
There was an expectation that the forward would be a useful asset in B6 with his versatility to play upfront or out wide.
Things didn’t work out and he ended up on loan at Crystal Palace, but his spell there has now come to an end.
He will now report back to Bodymoor Heath, but Guessand could then depart for Coventry City as a summer deal has been mooted.
Coventry City could move for Evann Guessand
The atmosphere surrounding the attacker quickly became sour in the Midlands after a pretty terrible start to life in claret and blue.
His move to Selhurst Park was more productive, but there still isn’t too much positive to say about his debut campaign in English football.
That has left Palace unwilling to activate their £25m option to purchase the Ivorian once the season came to an end.
They didn’t want to pay that sort of fee, leaving Villa to deal with the repercussions when he soon returns to Villa Park.
It feels unlikely that he will remain in B6 moving into the new season, with a cut-price exit potentially on the cards.
Former Villa scout Bryan King believes Coventry City could consider a move for Guessand after earning promotion from the Championship.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “Villa will bring him back now.
"Does the manager think he's good enough? If not, he has to go permanently. There's no point loaning him out again.
“I wouldn't put it past Coventry to take a look at him this summer.
“To be honest, I always questioned if he was a Villa-type player and I think it's time for him to move on.
“I would say Villa would be happy with £15m right now and Coventry will be interested, that's for sure.”
Guessand faces an uncertain future with Villa, so a move elsewhere in the Premier League could prove to be beneficial for all once more.
Aston Villa right to sell Guessand immediately
Villa are in the market for a fast right winger this summer, but the ex-OGC Nice man was supposed to be that guy.
He was brought in with plenty of expectation after an excellent campaign for the Ligue 1 side where he contributed to 22 goals.
Guessand never looked like replicating that form in claret and blue and just isn’t going to fit in when he comes back.
That opens the door to a summer exit, with any sort of fee likely to be enough to get him out of Bodymoor Heath.
Giving him another chance isn’t going to work, especially after all his comments following his move to Crystal Palace.
If the Eagles don’t want him back, then Villa certainly shouldn’t welcome him in.