'Not a serious footballer' – Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target slammed for Saudi links

Yesterday at 01:04 PM

Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Jhon Duran has come in for criticism after it emerged that the Aston Villa striker is tempted by a transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Duran has scored an impressive 12 goals in all competitions so far this season but has often played second fidle to Ollie Watkins in Unai Emery’s side.

The Colombian international has started just four Premier League games this season, with several top European clubs hoping to tempt the striker away from Villa Park with the offer of a regular starting berth.

West Ham saw a £57million bid rejected earlier in the month, while both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old.

However, with just days remaining in the January window, Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr have now entered the race to sign Duran.

While Villa are said to be still holding out for a fee of around £80million, reports suggest that Duran has already agreed personal terms with the Saudi Pro League side.

However, a potential move to the Middle East has been slammed by former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan who insisted that Duran could not be taken seriously if he was to join Al Nassr at this stage of his career.

‘Well he’s not a serious footballer is he?’ Jordan said on talkSPORT when asked about Duran’s potential move to the Saudi Pro League.

‘He’s 21 years of age at the beginning of his career with all the world in front of him playing in the best league for a big football club and he wants to go to Saudi? He’s not a serious footballer.’

Earlier in the season, former Brentford striker Ivan Toney made his move to Saudi Arabia despite being repeatedly linked with a big-money move to a top Premier League club.

But Jordan rebuffed that comparison, saying: ‘That’s not a fair comparison. Ivan Toney was at a different stage in his career and he wasn’t going to get what he wanted in the UK.

‘Ivan Toney was at the back end of his career so it’s a completely different dynamic.’

Jordan continued: ‘Duran is a young, 21-year-old Colombian international footbaler with a real talent. This is not a football move, it’s a money move.

‘And that’s fine but just call if for what it is. Anyone who has got any football interests, including the player himself, would suggest that’s a very poor move.’

Speaking after Villa’s draw with West Ham at the weekend, Emery admitted the Duran transfer rumours were proving to be a distraction but insisted he wants the forward to stay at the Midlands club.

'The circumstances in this moment are not helping us to be 100% focused,' Emery told Sky Sports when asked about Duran's future.

'But Jhon Duran is our player and I am happy with him. I want him here with us. I want him here.'

Villa, meanwhile, are now having to fight off transfer interest for their other striker, Ollie Watkins after Arsenal launched a £60m bid for the striker.

The club are said to have rejected the initial offer, but the Gunners are now expected to return with a second, improved offer before deadline day.

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