Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Ivorian striker Evann Guessand after agreeing a fee with French club OGC Nice, according to reports in France.
Unai Emeryâs side have been quiet in the 2025 summer transfer window, signing three players in total, none of whom will be regular starters next season.
The only player the Villans have brought in for a disclosed fee is Yasin Ozcan for ÂŖ5.9million, and the former Kasimpasa player has already been sent out on loan to Anderlecht.
Spanish head coach Emery needs to bolster his attack before the Premier League season kicks off, and heâs finally closing in on his first noteworthy signing of the summer.
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According to French newspaper LâEquipe, thereâs an agreement between Aston Villa and Nice for the transfer of Guessand to the Premier League.
The report says the 24-year-old will sign a five-year contract after the Ligue 1 side âagreedâ to the âŦ35million (ÂŖ30.4m) sale.
Itâs added that Guessand will have his Villa medical on Wednesday and is ruled out for Niceâs Champions League qualifier against Benfica:
OGC Nice and Aston Villa have agreed to a transfer estimated at âŦ35 million, including bonuses, for Ivorian striker Evann Guessand. He is expected to join the Premier League on a five-year contract.
Evann Guessand will join Aston Villa. OGC Nice and the English club have agreed to transfer the Ivorian striker for âŦ35 million, including bonuses. The Nice player will sign a five-year contract with the English club. He is expected to arrive in England on Wednesday to undergo a medical and will therefore not play in the Champions League match against Benfica.
Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that Guessand is close to sealing a move to the Midlands.
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He wrote on X: âAston Villa are closing in on Evann Guessand deal with OGC Nice and playerâs camp. Negotiations for âŦ35m fee at final stages with details being sorted between clubs. Player said yes to #AVFC with details of his contract also being finalised.â
Guessand was on form for Nice last season, scoring 12 goals in 33 Ligue 1 matches.
Meanwhile, Villa are also hopeful of signing Leeds United and Atletico Madrid-linked Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese was one of the Saintsâ better performers in a dismal 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League and is expected to move clubs this summer.
According to Mondayâs edition of A Bola, Fernandes is keen on making a return to the top flight after impressing last term.
