Here we go: An ‘Elite’ Forward Snubs Wolves to Seal Transfer to Aston Villa Instead
Wolverhampton Wanderers have missed out on another high-profile transfer target this summer, with a player they pushed hard to sign now on the verge of joining Premier League rivals Aston Villa instead.
Despite completing three signings so far in this transfer window, Wolves’ recruitment efforts have been far from smooth. The Old Gold have cast a wide net across Europe in their search for new talent under head coach Vitor Pereira, but several key targets have slipped through their grasp.
Two of their primary right-back options—Marc Pubill and Juanlu Sanchez—have already gone elsewhere, with Pubill’s deal hijacked at the last moment and Sanchez opting for a move to Serie A giants Napoli. And now, Wolves have also lost out on one of their main attacking targets, Evann Guessand.
Guessand Rejects Molineux Move for Villa Park
The 24-year-old forward, who was previously plying his trade at Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, had attracted serious interest from Wolves earlier in the summer. The Midlands club made an official approach to sign him, submitting an offer in June in the hopes of securing his services. However, Wolves’ bid fell short of Nice’s valuation, which was believed to be in the region of £25 million.
As competition for Guessand began to grow—most notably from Crystal Palace—it became evident that Wolves would have a tough time securing the prolific Ivorian striker. In the end, it wasn’t the South London club that won the race, but rather their Premier League neighbours: Aston Villa.
Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed Villa’s successful pursuit with his signature “here we go” announcement, revealing that the Birmingham-based club had agreed to a total package worth around £30 million for Guessand. The talented forward is now set to complete his move to Villa Park, just a short distance from Molineux—adding salt to the wound for Wolves fans who had hoped to see him in gold and black.
Why Wolves Wanted Guessand
Guessand’s appeal is obvious. The young attacker enjoyed a stellar campaign last season in Ligue 1, contributing directly to 23 goals across all competitions. He’s earned a reputation as a technically gifted and dynamic forward, and has been labelled as “elite” by analysts and scouts alike.
With Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri departing Molineux this summer—taking a combined 21 goals with them—Guessand would have been a timely and high-impact addition to Wolves’ depleted front line. His arrival could have helped fill the void left by those key exits and added some much-needed firepower to a squad that struggled at times in front of goal last season.
The Pressure is Now on Wolves’ Recruitment Team
Wolves have done well to land Jhon Arias, a 27-year-old attacker with bags of experience and flair. However, fans and pundits alike agree that Arias cannot be the sole solution to Wolves’ attacking needs. The club still requires reinforcements in the forward areas if they are to compete at a high level under Pereira’s new regime.
The failure to land Guessand is a significant setback, especially given the potential he showed in France. With Villa now boasting yet another dangerous option up front, Wolves must act swiftly and decisively in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
Ownership group Fosun now faces mounting pressure to back their manager with the funds needed to replace the goals lost through summer departures. If Wolves are to avoid stagnation—or worse, regression—they must invest wisely and assertively to secure alternative attacking options.
For now, the Guessand saga ends in disappointment for Wolves supporters, while their West Midlands rivals continue to strengthen ahead of what promises to be a fiercely competitive Premier League season.