Arsenal are reportedly in talks with Aston Villa regarding a potential move for Colombian striker Jhon Duran, as uncertainty surrounds their pursuit of top targets Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak.
The Gunners are on the lookout for a new centre-forward after Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending ACL injury. While Mikel Arteta still has Kai Havertz at his disposal, the German international’s ability to deliver the consistent goals Arsenal need to challenge for major trophies has been questioned.
The winter transfer window is rapidly closing, and although signing a top-class striker during this period remains a challenging task, Arsenal are determined to strengthen their attacking options. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the North London club has made initial contact with Villa regarding Duran, who may be available for the right price. With the futures of Sesko and Isak uncertain, Arsenal is exploring other avenues, including the potential signing of Duran.
Romano has shared that Arsenal’s interest in Duran is growing, with the club reaching out to Villa to assess the situation. However, there have been no formal bids or negotiations yet. Arsenal’s top two targets—Sesko from RB Leipzig and Isak from Newcastle United—have proven difficult to secure. Sesko is still waiting for the “green light” from Leipzig, while Isak is seen as a dream target for the club, though his high price tag makes a move complicated.
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According to David Ornstein, Villa are open to selling Duran this month for around £80 million (€95.5m / $99.5m), as the young striker is reportedly frustrated with his lack of playing time. Villa manager Unai Emery has preferred Ollie Watkins as his main striker, which has limited Duran’s opportunities. With the Colombian eager for more minutes, Villa may consider parting ways with him for a substantial fee.
Despite reports suggesting that Villa might accept a bid in the range of £50-60 million (€71.6m / $74.6m), it remains to be seen whether this would be enough to convince Villa to sell. Arsenal have been closely monitoring Duran’s situation, but it remains unclear whether they will meet Villa’s asking price or pursue other options. In addition to Duran, Arsenal is also keeping an eye on Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic as a potential alternative if their attempts to land Sesko falter.
As Arsenal looks to strengthen their squad, another striker option that has emerged is Brighton’s Evan Ferguson. However, his recent injury troubles and his position as a backup striker at Brighton make him a less attractive option for Arsenal fans. Ferguson’s future might lie with a move to West Ham United, where he could reunite with former manager Graham Potter. Additionally, Arsenal is dealing with potential departures, including Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko, as Arteta seeks to overhaul his left-back options. Celtic has shown interest in re-signing Tierney, though a move may not materialize until the summer.
