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Jan. 29, 2026Updated 9:33 am EST
Crystal Palace are finalising a move to sign forward Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa.
The Athletic reported earlier on Thursday that Palace were in talks with Villa over a potential deal for the 24-year-old, who is now expected to travel to London to complete the move.
Palace are expected to have the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.
Guessand has been the subject of interest from various European clubs though Palace have been regarded as front-runners for his signature.
The Athletic reported that Palace were weighing up a move from Guessand on January 20, after Villa expressed an interest in Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Guessand only joined Villa in August from French club Nice in a deal worth €35million (£30.4m, $40.5m) consisting of a €30m upfront fee and a further €5m in add-ons.
The Ivory Coast international has struggled so far this season, scoring just two goals in all competitions and making just six starts in the Premier League.
He has made 21 appearances in total for the Midlands club, with both of his goals coming in the Europa League.
Palace have already added in attack in the winter window with Brennan Johnson arriving from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee approaching £35m, while they are close to a verbal agreement to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Should Larsen arrive at Selhurst Park it could pave the way for Mateta to leave with Nottingham Forest previously making a £35m offer, and AC Milan and Juventus also having shown interest.
Villa themselves have also made attacking reinforcements this month with striker Tammy Abraham joining from Besiktas and winger Alysson moving from Gremio leaving Guessand potentially with a more crowded path to regular gametime.
