Aston Villa have reportedly set a hefty £80 million price tag on forward Jhon Duran, who is attracting significant interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
The club has already rejected a £57 million bid from West Ham United this transfer window, and now, Al-Nassr are looking to bring in the Colombian forward as they aim to bolster their attack. The Saudi club is also considering an alternative target, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, and a decision is expected soon regarding which striker they will pursue.
Al-Nassr are currently weighing up their options, with both Duran and Boniface emerging as key targets. The club’s focus on strengthening their forward line comes as they look to support star players Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, who are pivotal to their attack. Villa, however, are firm on their valuation of Duran, indicating that they are not willing to part with the striker unless they receive a significantly improved offer.
The 21-year-old Colombian has made a notable impact at Villa Park this season, scoring 12 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions. Despite his solid form, Duran has found it difficult to secure a consistent starting spot, as Unai Emery has often preferred Ollie Watkins in the centre-forward role. Nevertheless, his performances have not gone unnoticed, and his potential departure could serve as a means for Villa to reinvest in their squad.
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Duran’s potential move could also pave the way for Aston Villa to strengthen other areas of their team, particularly in defense. The club has reportedly shown interest in Chelsea’s Axel Disasi, Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, and Lens’ Kevin Danso, all of whom could help bolster Villa’s defensive options. However, sources suggest that Villa would only make a move for these players if they were able to secure significant funds from the sale of Duran, further highlighting their reluctance to part with him for anything less than their asking price.
For Al-Nassr, the decision to sign Duran or Boniface is critical as they look to maintain a competitive edge in the Saudi Pro League, where they currently sit in fourth place. The club’s squad has seen some changes, with the recent departures of midfielder Seko Fofana and attacker Talisca. These exits have opened up the opportunity for new signings, and a quality forward is seen as essential to improving their attacking depth. The decision between Duran and Boniface is expected to be finalized shortly, with the Saudi club looking to complete a deal soon.
While Boniface has been in excellent form for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring eight goals in 15 matches this season despite injury setbacks, Duran’s ability to make an immediate impact for Al-Nassr could be more appealing due to his youth and potential for growth.
With both players attracting interest, it is clear that Al-Nassr are aiming to make a significant addition to their attacking options before the window closes. The outcome of this decision could have a considerable impact on the remainder of the transfer window, as Al-Nassr look to continue building their squad around the attacking firepower of Ronaldo and Mane.
