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Evann Guessand was Nice's most-used outfield player last season Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Nice striker Evann Guessand for £26m plus £4. 3m in add-ons. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast forward scored 12 goals last term and was named player of the season as Nice finished fourth in France's Ligue 1. He is expected to have a medical at Villa on Wednesday. Guessand, who was a target for Crystal Palace, will be Villa's first major signing of the summer. He follows Yasin Ozcan, who joined from Kasimpasa but has been loaned to Anderlecht, and back-up goalkeeper Marco Bizot who arrived for an undisclosed fee from Brest. Villa have been looking at striker options since January's departure of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr left them with just Ollie Watkins as their only senior centre-forward. Marcus Rashford spent the second half of the season at Villa on loan but has joined Barcelona. Guessand made his way through the youth ranks at Nice and signed a four-year contract last summer. He made his debut for Ivory Coast in June 2024 and has nine caps. Villa, who finished sixth last season to qualify for the Europa League, open their Premier League campaign at home to Newcastle United on Saturday, 16 August (12: 30 BST). Latest Aston Villa news, analysis and fan views Get Aston Villa news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Man Utd, Newcastle. .. or neither? Sesko's choices Former Porto captain Costa dies aged 53 Legal case a 'seismic confrontation' between players and Fifa Inside the homes of three men who changed British life From medicine to comedy: Harry Hill reflects on his life Annika returns to solve unfathomable murders Santana's classic 1990 performance at the Manchester Apollo Man Utd, Newcastle. .. or neither? Sesko's choices 'Winning the Ashes would be Stokes' greatest miracle' Will Mc Laren be worried about Norris-Piastri relationship? Monday Night Club: Pivotal season for Spurs, no more egos at Rangers & Man Utd pre-season success. Audio Monday Night Club: Pivotal season for Spurs, no more egos at Rangers & Man Utd pre-season success 'England and India provide most intense, dramatic and emotional finale' How to win at FPL - our experts give their best tips Who pressed their Ashes case? Who disappointed? England's player ratings Lions tour awards - best player, moment and try, and a word on the Welshman. .. 'One of the great Test matches' - India earn series draw with narrow win. Video'One of the great Test matches' - India earn series draw with narrow win 'I needed to get myself together' - Fitzpatrick on finding form Green shoots for Man Utd or another false dawn? Most dropped catches? Why don't stadiums have roofs? Your questions answered. Video Most dropped catches? Why don't stadiums have roofs? Your questions answered 'Oh my goodness' - Rhodes hits a hole-in-one with a difference. Video'Oh my goodness' - Rhodes hits a hole-in-one with a difference Lions player ratings - the incredible, the unlucky & the poor 'Like being with a rock star' - departing Son's 10 years at Spurs The mountain retreat - upholding an Italian tradition Thorpe was a 'fighter' - Stewart remembers former England team-mate. Video Thorpe was a 'fighter' - Stewart remembers former England team-mate Becky Zerlentes - the first female boxer to die in fight in US Hansie Cronje, match-fixing and plane crash that left a complex legacy Lego, lash lifts and Reggie the dog - inside England's Euro 2025 success Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.