Aston Villa set price for Arsenal and Chelsea to sign Jhon Duran
Today at 01:03 PM
Aston Villa will consider offers for Jhon Duran amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea – but only if they receive an astronomical bid.
Duran is one of the most sought after strikers in the world right now, with West Ham, PSG and Al Nassr among the teams hoping to sign him this January.
The Irons recently had a £57million bid rejected while Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr want the Colombian as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Chelsea came close to signing the 21-year-old last summer while Arsenal have made enquiries over the past few months amid their ongoing search for an elite goalscorer.
Though their interest has quietened of late, Duran no doubt remains a desirable target for both London clubs, albeit one that would be hard to buy.
And the chances of them landing the striker have just got even harder, with multiple sources including talkSPORT reporting that Villa want at least £85m for the player.
Unai Emery is determined not to lose Duran, as his side look to secure a top four finish in the Premier League and go far in the Champions League, despite the Colombian being second-choice No.9 behind Ollie Watkins.
Just seven of Duran’s 28 appearances this season have been starts, yet he’s managed to score 12 goals – finding the back of the net every 85 minutes on average.
He joined the Villans from Chicago Fire for £18m two years ago and in October signed a new contract to keep him at the Villa Park until 2030.
Amid the lack of starts, the report adds that Duran could be open to linking up with Ronaldo before he potentially departs the Middle East.
Arsenal fans would likely prefer it if he linked up with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard instead, as would club legend Patrick Vieira.
Discussing Duran in October, the former Gunners captain said: ‘He's the right player for Arsenal – quick, unselfish, solid in the air, technically skilled, and intelligent in his movement.'
The young forward will have the chance to impress a potential suitor on Sunday when Villa host West Ham in the Premier League.
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