Emery seeks goalscorer as Villa weigh Mateta move; Palace consider Guessand in swap | OneFootball

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are considering a swap deal involving Jean-Philippe Mateta and Evann Guessand.

Mateta has informedCrystal Palace of his desire to leave the club this month, amid interest from Aston Villa and Italian side Juventus. The French forward has 18 months to run on his contract and is keen to explore his options.

Mateta's decision comes amid a difficult period for Palace, in which the Eagles sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City and head coach Oliver Glasner announced he will depart in the summer.

Villa want to add a centre-forward and midfielder to their squad before the transfer deadline. Unai Emery is determined to bring in competition for Ollie Watkins, with Donyell Malen having joined AS Roma on loan.

Villa had enquired about former loanee Tammy Abraham. However, the England international is currently on loan at Besiktas from AC Milan, complicating a deal this month.

Mateta, who has scored eight goals in 21Premier League appearances this season, is viewed as a top alternative.

According toThe Athletic, Crystal Palace's interest in Evann Guessand could help facilitate a transfer. The South Londoners had been keen on the Ivorian before his £30.5m move to Villa Park from Nice last summer.

Guessand has struggled to make an impact in the Midlands and has started just six games in thePremier League. His only goal have come in the Europa League.

Last season, the 24-year-old thrived in France. He scored 12 Ligue 1 goals and added eight assists in 33 appearances as Nice securedEuropa League football.

Guessand could become the second signing of the transfer window for Palace, following the £35m arrival of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur.

The versatile forward has recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he made four appearances as Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals.