Speculation concerning Evann Guessand's future at Aston Villa has been put to rest following a clear declaration from his agent. Despite earlier reports from Turkey indicating a possible swap deal involving Besiktas's Tammy Abraham, Guessand's representative firmly stated the player's unwavering commitment to the club. This development has significant implications for Aston Villa's transfer strategy and manager Unai Emery's plans for the team's attacking lineup, as the club will now need to explore alternative approaches for strengthening their forward options.
Reports had suggested that Besiktas, eager to secure the Ivorian international, aimed to facilitate a complex arrangement that would see Tammy Abraham return to the Premier League. Aston Villa, having a keen interest in their former loan star, reportedly hoped to utilize Guessand as a component to reduce the overall cost of acquiring Abraham. However, Guessand's agent swiftly intervened to quash these discussions, making his position unequivocally clear to Turkish journalist Ersin Albayrak, stating, "Guessand will definitely stay at Aston Villa. We have no intention of going anywhere, 10000%." This definitive statement effectively terminates any potential swap deal involving Abraham.
Currently, Tammy Abraham is on loan at Besiktas from AS Roma, with an agreement in place for the Turkish club to purchase him for €13 million. Besiktas, however, appears to be seeking a quick profit, aiming to offload him for approximately €20 million. With the swap option now off the table, Aston Villa's recruitment team faces the challenge of re-evaluating their strategy if they are still determined to secure Abraham before the transfer window closes. This situation forces them to consider a direct cash offer, potentially testing the club's financial limits for a new striker.
The firm stance on Guessand's future presents Unai Emery with a tactical dilemma as the season progresses. Aston Villa invested a substantial £30 million to acquire Guessand from OGC Nice just five months prior. Despite the significant outlay, the forward has struggled to displace Ollie Watkins in the starting lineup. By retaining Guessand, the club preserves its attacking depth, but it also means foregoing the opportunity to recoup funds or bring in a new player through a trade. Emery must now focus on maximizing Guessand's potential and integrating him more effectively into the team, rather than seeking an early departure.
Given the limited number of experienced strikers in the squad, Guessand's ability to step up in the event of an injury to Watkins becomes crucial. Furthermore, the collapsed swap deal makes the acquisition of Tammy Abraham considerably more difficult. Without a player to offer in exchange, Villa's leadership will need to commit to a full cash payment to meet Besiktas's asking price. This scenario highlights the delicate balance between squad reinforcement and fiscal responsibility, compelling Emery to either unlock Guessand's full potential or allocate substantial funds to secure Abraham, regardless of the existing roster.