Aston Villa are reportedly set to welcome Evann Guessand back into their first-team squad for pre-season after Crystal Palace opted against signing him on a permanent deal. The Ivory Coast international spent the second half of last season on loan at Palace from Villa, whom he joined from Nice last summer.
Loan Agreement and Option to Buy
A difficult start to life at Villa Park led both the player and the club to agree that a fresh start would be beneficial, with Palace among the clubs keen to sign him on loan during the January transfer window. As part of the loan agreement, Palace held a £28 million option to buy, which would have become mandatory if certain sporting targets were met.
According to The Standard, Palace have indeed passed up on their opportunity to sign Guessand on a permanent basis. This decision means the striker will now return to Villa for pre-season training under manager Unai Emery.
Guessand's Performance at Palace
After failing to score in 13 Premier League appearances for Villa, Guessand registered an assist on his league debut for Palace in a 1-0 win over Brighton before scoring the winner against Wolves in his third appearance. However, he made only five more league appearances after suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for six matches over the course of a month.
European Success and Limited End to Season
Guessand ended the campaign with both a Europa League and Conference League winners' medal, having scored a couple of goals for Unai Emery's side earlier in their respective European runs. After struggling to force his way back into Oliver Glasner's plans following his injury, Guessand was limited to a 10-minute substitute appearance in Palace's Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
What's Next for Guessand?
With his return to Villa, Guessand will have the opportunity to prove himself in pre-season and potentially earn a place in Emery's squad for the upcoming campaign. The club may also consider another loan move or a permanent transfer if a suitable offer arrives.
