Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign Nice striker Evann Guessand in a deal worth £26 million plus £4.3 million in add-ons. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, who scored 12 goals last season and was voted Nice’s player of the season, is set to undergo a medical on Wednesday.

Guessand’s arrival will be Villa’s first major signing of the summer, following the additions of Yasin Ozcan—loaned immediately to Anderlecht—and back-up goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest. Villa have been in the market for a new forward since Jhon Duran’s January move to Al-Nassr left Ollie Watkins as their only senior striker. Marcus Rashford provided short-term cover during the second half of last season but has since joined Barcelona.

Having progressed through Nice’s academy, Guessand signed a four-year contract with the French club last summer and made his Ivory Coast debut in June 2024, earning nine caps to date. His performances were key in helping Nice secure a fourth-place Ligue 1 finish and a return to European competition.

Aston Villa, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season to qualify for the Europa League, open their 2025-26 campaign at home to Newcastle United on Saturday, 16 August. The signing of Guessand adds much-needed depth and competition to Unai Emery’s forward line ahead of a busy season.