Premier League side Aston Villa are reportedly considering the sale of summer signing Evann Guessand before the January transfer window closes, a mere six months after his high-profile arrival.
Struggles at Villa Park Prompt Exit Talk
According to a report in the Daily Mail, journalist Tom Collomosse has advised 'don't rule out' the 24-year-old attacker departing Villa Park. Guessand only joined the Midlands club from OGC Nice last August for a fee of £30 million, signing a long-term contract.
However, his adaptation to English football has been challenging. The Frenchman has managed just two goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, with 13 of those outings coming in the Premier League where he is yet to find the net.
A Career Stalled After Promising Start in France
Guessand's potential sale marks a stark contrast to the form that prompted Villa's investment. A product of the Nice academy, he spent loan spells at Lausanne-Sport and Nantes before establishing himself at his boyhood club.
He made 108 total appearances for Nice, scoring 21 times, with 13 of those goals coming in the season prior to his transfer. That prolific campaign convinced Villa and manager Unai Emery to make their move, but the transition has not gone according to plan.
What a January Sale Would Mean for Villa
The club has until the deadline on Monday 2nd February to make a decision. Selling Guessand could provide several benefits for Villa's squad management.
Freeing up funds and squad space would aid the club's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) position and potentially allow for other reinforcements. However, his departure would also reduce attacking depth, leaving Villa reliant on Ollie Watkins. Guessand's versatility, being able to play centrally or on either flank, has been a useful asset.
His recent performance highlighted his mixed fortunes; he struck the crossbar with a header in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton, a goal that would have been his first league strike and a major confidence boost.
With Villa sitting third in the Premier League and competing in the Europa League, Emery must weigh the financial and tactical pros and cons. A move away may reignite Guessand's career, but it would represent a swift and costly misstep for the club if they cut their losses so soon.
