Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr believe they have agreed a deal worth over £64m to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.
The Saudi Pro League side are expecting to pay €77m (£64.4m) plus bonuses for the 21-year-old.
There are reports Duran will undergo a medical in London on Thursday.
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Speaking after Aston Villa’s draw with West Ham in the Premier League, Unai Emery confirmed he wants to keep Duran
The Colombia international was named on the bench on Wednesday for Villa’s game against Celtic in the Champions League.
Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday morning that Al Nassr – the club Cristiano Ronaldo plays for – wanted to sign either Duran or Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.
The Saudi Arabian club had held talks over both strikers but will only sign one of them, and it appears they have settled on Duran despite also agreeing a £46m (€55m) deal for Boniface.
Earlier this month, West Ham had a £57m bid turned down for Duran.
The 21-year-old has scored seven Premier League goals in 20 appearances this season.
He moved to Villa Park from MLS side Chicago Fire in January 2023 but just seven of his 55 league appearances have come as a starter.
Emery hints at Duran exit after Celtic win
Emery refused to be drawn specifically on Duran’s situation as Villa secured their Champions League last-16 spot with a 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday, after which TNT Sport reported the forward was spotted giving gifts to stadium staff in the tunnel at Villa Park.
Emery told the broadcaster when asked about Duran’s future: “Tomorrow or Friday we can speak about transfers. Or maybe next week, because while everything is not done, I don’t want to speak.
“In football, anything can happen. Of course, we are working and trying to compete in the window. We need some players.
“Of course, some can also leave but it’s not the time to speak to it.”
Villa reject Arsenal’s bid for Watkins
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Transfer Show panel discusses why Aston Villa rejected Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins
Al Nassr’s move for Duran comes amid Villa rejecting a bid from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins, who has been Villa head coach’s Unai Emery preferred striker.
Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer for the England international.
Villa’s position is that Watkins is not for sale, which makes it unlikely a deal will be done in this window.
Watkins, known to be an Arsenal fan, is the Premier League’s ninth-top goalscorer this season with 10 goals – including Villa’s equaliser at Arsenal earlier this month.
The 29-year-old has five goals in 18 games for England, including the winner in last season’s Euro 2024 semi-final victory against the Netherlands.
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2025-01-29 20:44:00