Aston Villa has turned down a new offer from West Ham for forward Jhon Duran, reiterating that the player will not be leaving the club this month.
Despite the interest, Villa is steadfast in keeping their star forward, who has been in excellent form this season.
Duran’s Role and Villa’s Ambitions
Jhon Duran has been Villa’s top scorer this season with an impressive 12 goals.
However, he may once again find himself on the bench during Villa’s crucial Champions League clash against Monaco.
The team is focused on taking a significant step toward qualifying for the last 16 of the competition, and they’re not willing to entertain bids for their key player at this critical stage.
The latest offer from West Ham is believed to be far below Villa’s expectations, with the timing also causing frustration at the club, coming just a day before such an important European match.
Villa’s record sale remains Jack Grealish’s £100 million move to Manchester City almost four years ago, and Duran’s value is fast approaching that level.
Emery’s Plans for Duran and Watkins
Unai Emery, Villa’s manager, is determined to find a way to play both Duran and Ollie Watkins in the starting lineup.
Instead of choosing between the two forwards, Emery believes there is a tactical solution to feature them together on the pitch.
“I think I can find a solution for them to play in the starting XI together, but they have to understand their roles,” said Emery.
“It’s my challenge to get the best out of them individually and as a pair. That might mean playing them together, but we have to work on it tactically.”
Departure of Diego Carlos and Potential Incomings
Meanwhile, Villa defender Diego Carlos has not traveled to Monaco, as he is on the verge of completing a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, managed by José Mourinho.
Villa is reportedly targeting Loïc Badé, a centre-back valued at £27 million by Sevilla, as Carlos’ replacement.
West Ham’s Striker Search
West Ham has been on the lookout for a reliable striker in recent seasons but has had little success, with players like Sebastien Haller and Gianluca Scamacca leaving after expensive transfers.
With both Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio sidelined by injury, West Ham is prepared to support manager Graham Potter with funds to secure a forward.
Duran, who at just 21 years old has already proven himself as a consistent goal-scorer in England, is an attractive target for the Hammers.
However, they’ll face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who are also eyeing the Colombian forward.
Villa, however, values Duran at £80 million, and PSG is expected to make a move in the summer instead.
Duran’s Commitment to Villa
Duran, who signed a new contract until 2030 with a significant pay rise last October, remains committed to Aston Villa for the foreseeable future.
With his form continuing to impress, it seems Villa is determined to hold onto him for as long as possible.
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