'I didn't want him to leave' - Aston Villa boss confirms £28m Crystal Palace transfer with medical booked
Crystal Palace have agreed a loan move with Aston Villa for Evan Guessand - which includes a £28m option to buy that may become an obligation
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has all-but confirmed Evan Guessand will join Crystal Palace as he insisted he did not want the striker to leave Villa Park.
It has been reported the move will be a loan for six months but the Premier League rivals have agreed a £28m option to buy which can be triggered at the end of the season. However, the move contains appearance-related add-ons and if those are met, it will trigger an obligation to buy.
Villa agreed a similar deal with Liverpool to bring Harvey Elliott in on loan but the former Fulham man is not set to met the required number of performances. The option and potential obligation to buy mean Palace are in complete control of whether Guessand joins the club permanently. He has agreed a four-year contract starting from the summer in the event the move is made permanent.
He is set to undergo a medical on Friday ahead of finalising the move to Selhurst Park.
After Aston Villa were in Europa League action on Thursday, Emery said of Guessand’s pending move: "Something similar to (Donyell) Malen. I was happy with him. I didn't want him to leave, but I accept it's a good deal for the club and him.
"The opportunity to play and another way to show his development. I accepted it.
"We signed a striker, signed a winger and in the last matches, it has been difficult for him to play, and he decided to leave."
In other news, Guessand’s pending move to Palace has thrown Jorgen Strand Larsen’s move to the London club in doubt. The Eagles had been ready to fork out a staggering £50m to sign the Wolves striker who is also linked with Leeds United and Everton.
The Whites had made a bid worth up to £39m for the striker that was turned down by Wolves.
Palace’s offer was £45m up front with a further £5m in add-ons. However, it is now unclear if they will plan to proceed with that offer after previously being close to an agreement.