With the summer transfer window on the horizon, top talents around Europe are set to command plenty of attention. Xavi Simons, Liam Delap and Florian Wirtz are expected to be in high demand – as is Nice forward Evann Guessand.
The forward is reportedly being eyed by several Premier League clubs after a stellar season in Ligue 1, which saw his performances recognised with a second-place finish in the Marc-Vivien Foe Award, which recognises the best African players in the French top-flight.
The 23-year-old scored 13 goals and registered nine assists in all competitions this season, and his displays for Franck Haise’s side have seen him likened to fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba. The pair met previously and have remained in close contact since after Guessand sought advice from the Chelsea hero on how to develop his game further.
According to The Telegraph, eight Premier League clubs are already showing interest in Guessand, including Aston Villa and West Ham. Several sides also looked into acquiring the services of the ex-Nantes star in the January transfer window, but approaches were rebuffed whilst Nice were challenging for Champions League football.
Remarkably, the scouting department at ‘every Premier League club’ are said to be aware of Guessand and have discussed his potential – with scouts and data both highlighting what he could offer if he were to depart Nice.
The French outfit will demand £33.4million (€40m) to part ways with the Ivory Coast international, which could be a small price to pay for a rising star capable of playing as a striker, No. 10 and on either flank when required.
Nice boss Haise has dropped Guessand in recent weeks, with many believing that the bold decisions have stemmed from how the forward is hopeful of securing a move to the Premier League this summer – but the French manager denies that reasoning. The No. 29 then returned to his starting eleven over the weekend for Nice’s final game of the season and scored one and assisted another in a 6-0 win over Brest.
Speaking about the growing interest in Guessand, Haise said: “We know that Evann will be one of the players who is highly sought after… like other French clubs we have to sell to buy this summer.”