Evann Guessand was loaned to Crystal Palace after just half a season at Aston Villa
Evann Guessand of Crystal Palace celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid
Evann Guessand celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid
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Crystal Palace’s option to turn Evann Guessand’s loan into a permanent transfer expired at the end of May.
That’s according to The Standard who say the UEFA Conference League champions have allowed the clause to lapse meaning the 24-year-old could be made available to other clubs. The report maintains Palace ‘remain interested’.
Guessand joined AstonVilla from a reported £30million from Nice last summer and made a stuttering beginning to his time under Unai Emery, starting only six Premier League matches and – as a right winger – not providing a goal or an assist.
He did score twice in seven games in the Europa League group stages, though, before being loaned to Palace in January, with what the Standard believes was a £28m option to buy.
He hit the ground running at Selhurst Park and despite missing several weeks with a knee injury returned to play the final couple of Premier League matches and ten minutes of the historic win over Rayo Vallecano last week.
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He has been included in the Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad and is then due to return to Villa for pre-season.
However, he could have something thinking to do with Oliver Glasner’s departure from the Eagles clouding the situation. The report says Guessand was happy at Palace.
Indeed Emery seemed happy to have him for the whole season but speaking in January said his loan would be good for the club. That leaves Guessand ‘weighing up his options’.
Interestingly the forward could be set for two winners' medals having played in the UEFA Conference League final for Palace and also contributed to Villa's Europa League campaign.
Would you like to see Guessand given another chance? Let us know
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