Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Evann Guessand on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with a conditional obligation to buy. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international returns to Selhurst Park after spending the second half of last season on loan at the club, though Palace previously opted not to make the move permanent when the obligation-to-buy clause was not triggered.
Guessand's Return to Selhurst Park
Despite the departure of former manager Oliver Glasner, new Palace boss Pierre Sage was keen to bring Guessand back, having been impressed by his potential. The forward struggled to make an impact during pre-season under Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, which ultimately led to his departure. Guessand was included in Villa's squad for their pre-season tour of the Far East, featuring in all three matches against Indonesia All Stars, BG Pathum, and Bayern Munich.
His time at Villa last season was challenging, with just two goals in 21 appearances, both scored away from home in the Europa League league phase against Go Ahead Eagles and Basel. The move to Palace offers Guessand a fresh start in the Premier League, where he will look to rediscover the form that made him a target for top-flight clubs.
Villa's Squad Clearance Continues
In addition to Guessand, Aston Villa are actively looking to offload Leon Bailey this summer. A proposed move to Hull City has hit a snag, with Tigers manager Sergej Jakirovic describing the deal as “off.” The Jamaica international was expected to sign for Hull last week after the transfer was revived, but it remains unclear whether the move can be salvaged.
Villa's squad restructuring comes as they prepare for the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, August 12. The match, which pits the Europa League winners against the Champions League winners, will take place in Austria. Fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video's HBO Max channel.
Impact and Next Steps
Guessand's arrival at Palace adds depth to their attacking options, with the club hoping he can contribute goals and creativity. The conditional obligation to buy suggests Palace have the option to make the deal permanent if certain performance criteria are met. For Villa, the loan frees up squad space and wages as they continue to reshape their team under Emery.
As for Bailey, his future remains uncertain, with Hull City potentially revisiting the deal or other clubs expressing interest. Villa will be keen to resolve his situation before the transfer window closes, ensuring the squad is settled for the upcoming season.
