Aston Villa issue HUGE Duran statement amid Chelsea interest

Cameron Smith

10 Sept 2024 17:45 BST
3 min read

Jhon Duran, Aston Villa, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Aston Villa have claimed that at least 40 clubs were interested in signing Jhon Duran during the summer transfer window.

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The Colombia international was close to joining both Chelsea and West Ham United this summer, with the former even reportedly submitting a last-minute bid on Transfer Deadline Day.

However, Villa convinced Duran to stay at the club, despite his desire to search for more regular football elsewhere.

Damian Vidagany, Aston Villa’s director of football operations, has now claimed that Duran was being chased by virtually every club in world football during the summer.

“If there is a club which really thinks he can be one of the top strikers in the world, if there is one club and one manager, it is Aston Villa and Unai Emery,” Vidagany said (as per 90min).

“There are no fewer than 40 clubs who want Duran - everyone wants Duran.

“Jhon Duran is a boy of 20 who knows what we know, he has a huge potential. He can be one of the best strikers in the world, period.

Aston Villa’s sporting director Monchi added: “We need to understand Unai. He is very confident with Jhon Duran. Very confident.

“He thinks in the next few years he can become one of the best strikers in the world. He is 100% convinced. But what is the problem? We also have Watkins and Duran wants to play. He thinks he is better than Watkins.

“That is normal because every player thinks he is better than their teammates. To manage Ollie Watkins and Duran is not easy but in the end it is the best for the team. If you have two big strikers it is better than only one.

“Did Duran want to leave the club? Yes. That is normal because he wants to play. But now we spoke with him yesterday and he is happy. He is training well.”

STATS

Jhon Durán

F (C)

Aston Villa

Jhon Durán

F (C)

Aston Villa

3

Games
2

Goals
0

Assists

Jhon Duran at Aston Villa

Duran joined Aston Villa from Chicago Fire for €16.6 million in January 2023, but he has only started three Premier League games since moving to the club.

However, the Colombian has been extremely clinical during his time on the pitch over the past 18 months - averaging a goal every 131 minutes of his Aston Villa career so far.

The 20-year-old has four years remaining on his current deal with Aston Villa, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €7.5m.