Scouts call him the next Nicolas Anelka - and Aston Villa deal looks '95%' done
Aston Villa finally look like they could be closing in on completing another new signing.
The Villans have found life extremely difficult in the transfer market so far this summer, as they have had to toe the line carefully in regards to their PSR standing.
Marco Bizot is the only new addition to Villa's squad at the moment, but that now looks as if it could be about to change.
Unai Emery will be desperate to lift his side back into the top four this term, and late work in the transfer market could be crucial to him being able to realise that goal.
Aston Villa to land new Anelka as Evann Guessand deal close
Villa have made rapid progress in their bid to sign Evann Guessand from Nice in the last few days.
The second city outfit recently joined the chase for the striker, and they now look set to beat several other Premier League sides to his signature, as Emery appears to be getting the additional firepower that he needs.
Nice boss Franck Haise suggested earlier in the summer that there would be a "95% chance" that Guessand wouldn't be part of his side for the 2025/26 campaign, according to Africa Soccer (21 July), and it looks as though his indication is now about to materialise.
- Guessand is 24 years old
- He was born in Ajaccio, France but is a full international for Ivory Coast
- The forward has a younger brother called Axel Guessand. He plays as a defender for Kristiansund in Norway.
- Guessand's move to Aston Villa is all but done.
Villa have reached an agreement of around £30.4million with Nice, and the frontman is now expected to sign a contract in B6 until the summer of 2030, according to Santi Ouna via X (5 August).
His imminent arrival will represent a huge boost in the context of the Villans' summer, and they have plenty of reason to be excited about the man who looks like he will be their latest capture.
Scouts have previously likened Guessand's style to a combination of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, given his desire to drop deep from the frontline and link the play, according to The Telegraph (19 May).
Guessand's arrival shouldn't necessarily impact Watkins
OIlie Watkins' future has been up in the air at Villa this summer, but the move for Guessand should have a limited impact on the Englishman.
Emery lacks options to play in an out-and-out number nine role, with Watkins often shouldering the majority of the burden last term.
Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen can both lead the line, but the boss certainly prefers them to operate on the flanks.
As a result, the decision to add a second recognised striker to the ranks shouldn't necessarily prompt concern over Watkins' future.
If Villa ultimately opt to sell their star man, that decision is likely to have come as a result of a major financial opportunity, rather than Guessand's arrival.
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