Selhurst Park Beckons For Second Spell
Evann Guessand is closing in on a return to Crystal Palace, agreeing a season-long loan from Aston Villa that also includes an option to buy. The move represents the latest twist in a saga that has run since he first arrived at Selhurst Park in January.
Personal terms have reportedly never been the issue. Guessand is genuinely keen on returning, having thoroughly enjoyed his previous spell in south London. He featured fourteen times for Palace, scoring twice while playing a role in the club’s historic UEFA Conference League triumph in Leipzig.
Notably, Villa initially signed Guessand from Nice for £26 million last summer, hoping he’d fill the void left by Jhon Duran’s departure. However, he struggled to make a genuine impact, managing just two goals across 21 appearances before his loan switch to Palace transformed his fortunes considerably.
Financially, Villa are seeking a buy option in excess of £25 million this time around, a figure Palace appear confident of agreeing. Crucially, the structure reportedly avoids any obligation to purchase, giving Palace complete flexibility depending on how the season unfolds.
Smart Structuring Protects Both Parties
Interestingly, Palace held an option to sign Guessand permanently earlier this summer, valued around £28 million, yet chose against triggering it, largely due to UEFA’s Squad Cost Ratio regulations limiting their spending flexibility. That decision, while cautious, hasn’t dampened either side’s enthusiasm for a renewed arrangement.
For Villa, letting Guessand leave again makes practical sense given his struggles under Unai Emery. Pierre Sage, meanwhile, gains valuable forward depth heading into another demanding European campaign, having already seen how quickly Guessand can settle into Palace’s system.
Both clubs appear increasingly close to finalising terms, according to Read Aston Villa, suggesting an official confirmation could arrive within days.
Readers following Crystal Palace’s summer transfer business can find continued coverage on KCPredict as this deal edges toward completion.