- 5 hours ago
Real Madrid target €100m Jhon Duran: Aston Villa already know his replacement
Robin Bairner
- 25 Jan 2025 04:06 CST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are the latest club to raise an interest in Aston Villa attacker Jhon Duran, who has had a €100 million price tag put on his head this January.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and West Ham United are both known to want Duran, while PSG have already had a bid knocked back. From Saudi Arabia, Al-Nassr are said to have been lining up a move, but Villa face their biggest threat to retaining the services of the 21-year-old striker with the news that Real Madrid want to sign him.
Los Blancos’ interest in Duran was first reported by FootMercato, which states that Endrick could be loaned out to accommodate the player in the short term.
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STATS
Jhon Durán
F (C)
Aston Villa
Jhon Durán
F (C)
Aston Villa
Doubts have been raised over whether Real Madrid will meet Aston Villa’s expectations in terms of a transfer fee and also indicates that Al-Nassr remain the player’s preference.
Although Carlo Ancelotti’s side appear to be loaded in attack due to Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe’s presence in the squad, the Brazilian has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League on lucrative terms.
If this were to happen in the summer, Mbappe would move to his preferred role on the left, leaving Madrid needing a striker – a role that Duran could fill.
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Emery has smart Duran replacement in mind
Aston Villa already seem to have chosen their replacement for Duran.
Unai Emery’s side are tracking Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Mathus Cunha, and while a deal for the versatile attacker appears impossible at this point is impossible due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, if they were to sell their Colombian superstar for big money, this would become a legitimate possibility.
It would also go some way to relieve a log jam in attack at Villa Park. Duran and Ollie Watkins are rarely used together. Emery admits he is looking for a way they can play together, but a more natural solution to Villa’s problem may be to sell one of his centre-forwards and sign a wide player – a position they actually need.
Cunha’s ability to play both roles could make him an ideal replacement for Duran, even if Wolves’ €80m demand for the player looks very big.
