DEAL ACCEPTED! Aston Villa Agree Deal to Sign Evann Guessand for €35m Package: OGC Nice Accept €30m Plus €5m Add-Ons Proposal, Guessand Authorized to Travel
In one of the most significant and surprising transfer moves of the summer window, Aston Villa have reached a full agreement with OGC Nice for the transfer of talented forward Evann Guessand. The final deal, reportedly worth a total package of €35 million (€30 million guaranteed plus €5 million in performance-related add-ons), marks a major statement of intent by the Birmingham-based club as they continue to strengthen their squad under the stewardship of Unai Emery.
This move brings excitement to the Villa faithful and signals the club’s ambitions not just to maintain their status as Premier League contenders, 
but to take a real shot at competing for European silverware in the coming seasons. Let’s take a closer look at what this blockbuster move means from all angles—footballing, financial, and strategic.
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Who is Evann Guessand?
Evann Guessand, 23, is a French-Ivorian forward who rose through the ranks at OGC Nice and made a name for himself with his explosive pace, agility, versatility across the front line, and clinical finishing. A product of Nice’s youth academy, Guessand has been one of Ligue 1’s most promising young attackers over the last two seasons.
Standing at 6’1” with strong physical attributes, he has the rare ability to combine technical finesse with power—making him an ideal fit for the intensity of the Premier League. He scored 10 goals and provided 6 assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, including several crucial goals against top opponents like Lyon and Monaco. His performances didn’t go unnoticed, attracting attention from several European clubs, but it’s Aston Villa who have moved fastest and most decisively.
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Why Aston Villa Made the Move
Under Unai Emery, Aston Villa have developed into one of the most tactically disciplined and ambitious sides in English football. Last season’s impressive run saw them finish strongly in the Premier League and secure qualification for European competition. With the added burden of continental football, Emery has been clear about the need to deepen the squad with young, dynamic talent—and Guessand ticks all the boxes.
This move isn’t just about numbers or filling a gap; it’s about evolving Villa’s attacking approach. Emery’s system thrives with versatile forwards who can operate across multiple roles, press intelligently, and link up in fast transitional play. Guessand offers the versatility to play as a central striker, secondary forward, or even out wide—giving Villa a flexible weapon who can slot into various tactical setups.
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The Financials: A Smart Investment?
At €35 million total, some might raise eyebrows at the fee for a player who’s still relatively unproven on the biggest stages. However, in the current inflated transfer market, this could be considered a smart long-term investment.
Guessand’s age, profile, and potential resale value make this a calculated gamble by the Villa board. With Premier League broadcasting money, European football income, and a stable wage structure, the club can absorb this outlay without putting itself at financial risk. The performance-related add-ons also suggest Villa have protected themselves from overpaying unless the player truly delivers.
Notably, Aston Villa have become increasingly savvy in the transfer market under Monchi, the club’s President of Football Operations. The former Sevilla sporting director is known for identifying under-the-radar talents and selling high later—Guessand may well become the next success story.
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Guessand’s Role at Villa Park
As Guessand prepares to undergo medicals and sign his contract, fans and analysts alike are already projecting how he will fit into the current Aston Villa squad. With Ollie Watkins currently leading the line and Leon Bailey, Moussa Diaby, and Jacob Ramsey supporting in wide roles, the competition will be fierce—but healthy.
Emery has often spoken about building a squad with depth and tactical fluidity, and Guessand is likely to rotate heavily across all three attacking positions. He may start as a backup or rotational option early in the season but could force his way into the starting XI depending on his form and how well he adapts to the Premier League.
There’s also potential for Watkins and Guessand to play together, with one dropping deeper or drifting wide—a combination that could terrorize defences with speed and movement.
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The Reaction from Villa Fans
The Villa faithful are buzzing with excitement following the news. Social media exploded within minutes of the official announcement, with hashtags like #WelcomeGuessand and #UTV (Up The Villa) trending across Twitter and Instagram. Fans are praising the club for moving decisively in the market and bringing in a player with both present-day ability and future upside.
Supporters also see this move as a signal of Villa’s ambitions—no longer content with mid-table safety or one-off cup runs, the club is clearly aiming to challenge the top six and go deep in European tournaments. This is a major psychological boost for a fanbase that has endured plenty of ups and downs in recent years.
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What It Means for OGC Nice
For OGC Nice, the sale represents a good piece of business as well. They’ve developed Guessand from their youth system and will now earn up to €35 million from his sale—a significant return that will help them reinvest into their squad. The Ligue 1 side has already begun identifying replacements and is rumored to be targeting a couple of attacking reinforcements from South America and Eastern Europe.
While some Nice fans may be disappointed to see a homegrown star depart, the general sentiment seems to accept that Guessand’s time had come, and a move to the Premier League represents a natural next step in his development.
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Final Details: Medicals and Contract
Evann Guessand has reportedly been authorized to travel to Birmingham for his medical examination. This is expected to be completed within the next 48 hours, barring any last-minute hiccups. Once completed, Guessand will sign a five-year contract with Aston Villa, which includes an option for a sixth year depending on performances.
The official unveiling is expected to take place at Villa Park before the club’s next preseason fixture, with a possible debut in the opening Premier League match looming, depending on his readiness and registration.
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Looking Ahead
With the Guessand deal nearly complete, all eyes now turn to how Aston Villa will integrate him into their squad and whether more signings are in the pipeline. Rumors persist that Emery still wants to reinforce in midfield and defence, but this forward addition significantly boosts Villa’s firepower.
Villa’s upcoming campaign—domestically and in Europe—promises to be thrilling, and with young talents like Guessand now on board, the future looks brighter than ever. This move could well go down as one of the smartest signings of the summer, especially if Guessand lives up to his vast potential and becomes a Premier League star.
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Conclusion
The acquisition of Evann Guessand is a bold and exciting move for Aston Villa, one that encapsulates their forward-thinking strategy and hunger for success. As fans count down to his debut and dream of what he can bring to their attack, the message from Villa Park is loud and clear:
This is not the Aston Villa of old. This is a club with purpose, with plans, and with players ready to take the next leap. And Guessand might just be the man to lead them there.