Aston Villa Close In On £30.5m Deal For Nice Forward Evann Guessand

Aston Villa are adjacent to making nan Nice guardant Evann Guessand their first awesome summertime signing. Villa person agreed a package worthy €35m (£30.5m) for nan Ivory Coast international.

Villa person scheduled a aesculapian for Guessand connected Wednesday and scheme to motion nan 24-year-old to a semipermanent contract. The France-born subordinate scored 12 goals successful 32 appearances successful Ligue 1 past play and scored his first world extremity successful March.

His presence would beryllium a boost to Unai Emery’s attacking options, pinch Ollie Watkins nan only bona fide striker successful nan Villa squad. Like Donyell Malen, Guessand’s versatility makes him an attraction action for Villa.

Villa person had to beryllium mindful of profitability and sustainability regulations this summertime and their only different first-team signing truthful acold is nan knowledgeable goalkeeper Marco Bizot, who was signed arsenic a No 2 from Brest. Zépiqueno Redmond, signed from Feyenoord, could depart connected loan.

Uncertainty continues to situation Emiliano Martínez, who is thought to beryllium keen connected exploring a caller challenge. Watkins has been nan subject of liking from rivals but Villa do not wish to sell. Villa besides want to trim their squad and offload fringe players specified arsenic Àlex Moreno and Leander Dendoncker.

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton has joined Lyon successful a £15m deal. The 22-year-old, who came done nan academy ranks astatine Liverpool, had liking from respective European and Premier League clubs this summertime but opted to prosecute much regular first-team shot successful France. Liverpool person besides negotiated a 20% sell-on clause successful immoderate early transfer.

The Premier League champions are good stocked successful cardinal midfield and Morton’s opportunities whitethorn person been further constricted adjacent play by nan return of Stefan Bajcetic, positive nan improvement of James McConnell and Luca Stephenson.