CONFIRMED: Aston Villa agree personal terms with €30m attacker as Duran rumours persist

Robin Bairner

6 Jan 2025 13:00 GMT
3 min read

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

Aston Villa face a fight to retain the services of Jhon Duran during the January transfer window as interest from PSG is maintained, yet Unai Emery’s side are poised to reinforce their attack.

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Donyell Malen has agreed personal terms with Aston Villa, according to reports from Voetbal International, with the Birmingham side now seeking to reach an accord over a transfer fee with Borussia Dortmund.

This is said to be “a matter of time” by the Dutch source, despite the Villans’ opening bid of €20 million being knocked back by their Champions League rivals. Bild previously reported that Dortmund have been left disappointed by the performances of the wide attacker, who has five goals and one assist in 20 appearances this season.

STATS

Donyell Malen

F, M (R), AM (L)

Dortmund

Donyell Malen

F, M (R), AM (L)

Dortmund

20

Games
5

Goals
1

Assists

Football transfer news expert Ben Jacobs has also confirmed the progress of the deal.

“Donyell Malen has verbally agreed terms with Aston Villa. Still no club-to-club agreement. Dortmund have been insisting on a package for around €30m,” he tweeted.

Malen, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €32 million, has agreed a long-term contract with the Premier League outfit, who are seeking to strengthen their wide attacking options as they lie ninth in the Premier League standings.

This is a deal that will be hastened by a recent hamstring injury to John McGinn, with Emery confirming the versatile Scotland star could miss several weeks of action.

Jhon Duran: On his way to PSG?

Aston Villa’s whole attacking line could be transformed in the weeks ahead, with Colombia international striker Duran heavily linked with a move to PSG.

The French side are planning talks with the 21-year-old attacker and are prepared to send the out-of-favour Randal Kolo Muani in the opposite direction in a bid to lighten the financial impact of the deal.

Villa already have a quality No.9 option in the form of Ollie Watkins so face the challenge of keeping both the England ace and Duran happy with their first-team minutes in the months ahead.

Emery’s side previously resisted Chelsea’s interest in Duran in the summer, when the Blues were willing to pay around €50m for the South American, but there is also ongoing interest from Arsenal.