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News
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Aston Villa weigh up sensational Crystal Palace swap deal - David Ornstein
Tom Weber
- 20 Jan 2026 15:42 GMT
- 4 min read
Breaking
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace could complete a blockbuster swap deal for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Evann Guessand, according to David Ornstein.
The Villans are keen to bolster their attacking department after sending Donyell Malen on loan to AS Roma. Tammy Abraham, who is understood to be keen on a return to Villa Park, has been discussed, but this deal is proving complicated.
Abraham is on loan at Besiktas from AS Roma. The Turkish giants have a conditional purchase obligation, but it is not entirely clear if it has already been triggered. Villa are therefore negotiating with two clubs, not just one.
Current ETV
Tammy Abraham
F (C)
Besiktas
Tammy Abraham
F (C)
Besiktas
ETV Range
€13.3M - €16.3M
The finances of signing Abraham could prove prohibitive, forcing the Birmingham club to explore alternatives. One such alternative is Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to David Ornstein.
The Frenchman recently received interest from Juventus and agreed personal terms, but the Bianconeri pulled out of the deal due to an unwillingness to match Crystal Palace's €40 million asking price. This has allowed Villa to enter the race for him.
Villa want Mateta, Palace want Guessand
Intriguingly, Ornstein reports that, if Mateta is to move, there could be something of a swap deal because Crystal Palace have retained their summer interest in Evann Guessand. The Ivorian joined Villa from Nice in the last window, but has struggled to make his mark at Villa Park.
Discussions appear to be at an early stage for now, and there is no guarantee that any move would be a formal swap deal. On the contrary, because of financial rules, it is likely that it would be two separate transfers.
Villa paid €30m for Guessand in the summer, so there is not a huge gap in valuation between the 24-year-old and Mateta. Palace have already shown a willingness to spend big this month by breaking their club record with the signing of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham.
However, replacing the guaranteed goals of Mateta with the still unproven Guessand would be a major risk, and it would do little to mollify departing head coach Oliver Glasner. On Saturday, the Austrian was incandescent over the exit of Marc Guehi, although he did admit just a day before that Mateta could be sold this month as well.
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