Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement to sign Evann Guessand from OGC Nice in a deal worth €35 million (£30.4 million).
Guessand is expected to undergo a medical this week and sign his contract shortly afterwards, with Nice giving the green light for him to travel.
Villa had been tracking Guessand for several months. He was one of several forward targets considered in January, but the decision was taken to leave him at Nice until the end of the Ligue 1 campaign.
With a deal now in place, the forward is set to become the club’s most significant signing of the summer.
Villa have been working with limited room to manoeuvre in the market due to concerns around Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and UEFA’s squad cost regulations.
That has restricted them to just one permanent signing – goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest – as they balance compliance with reinforcing key areas of the squad.
Following the January exit of Jhon Duran and the return of Marcus Rashford to Manchester United after a short-term loan, Ollie Watkins remains Villa’s only natural centre-forward.
The club have prioritised the addition of a versatile forward who fits their profile – young, dynamic and capable of operating across the frontline.
Guessand fits that description. At Nice, he gained a reputation as a mobile and technically sound forward, contributing in various roles across the front three.
His flexibility, work rate and intelligence in the final third made him an appealing option for Villa, who have consistently targeted players capable of adapting to multiple tactical systems.
Guessand is expected to join up with the Villa squad shortly after completing his medical.
With the club’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United scheduled for August 16, he could be in contention to feature in the matchday squad if everything proceeds smoothly.
Villa are likely to remain active in the final weeks of the transfer window, but their business will continue to be shaped by financial regulations.
