Evann Guessand (24) is a step away from the OGC Nice Aston Villa after the two clubs had reached an agreement for € 35 million.
His transfer away from the south of France had long been expected and gets Frans Voetbalnieuws that Nice would have wanted to sell this summer, to bring funds to better strengthen the team this summer. However, what was not expected was that it would be Aston Villa who won the race for the attacker.
As L'Equipe reports, Guessand was heavily praised by Crystal Palace and Saudi Aarabic Lace Neom SC this summer, while Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Villarreal and Real Sociedad had all reached the race in the last few days.
At one point Neom and Crystal Palace had the closest to winning his signature. Neom was able to match the asking price of € 35 million and offered him a 4-year contract worth € 8.6 million net per year, but could not match his sporting ambition, while Crystal Palace could only offer a nice € 25 million.
Aston Villa reportedly made contact last weekend and was able to win Guisand and after a conversation between head coach Unai Emery and the player. Emery explained how he intended to use the attacker and that the club had viewed him 32 times.
Crystal Palace had planned a final attempt to steal the Ivorian international, but at that time it was too late, and his mind was completely ready to join Aston Villa.
GFFN | Nick Hartland