Jhon Duran to Arsenal transfer twist after '£59m bid' and new Chelsea update

Aston Villa are reportedly on the brink of accepting a staggering £59million offer from Al-Nassr for their striker Jhon Duran. The Colombian forward's future has been a hot topic this month, with links to Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea.

Villa have already turned down two offers from West Ham, the latter believed to be just shy of the bid now tabled by the Saudi Pro League outfit. According to reports from L'Equipe, Duran is poised to join Cristiano Ronaldo's side after agreeing personal terms. This comes amidst rumours that PSG were lining up a bid for the 21-year-old.

However, a move to the French capital seems off the cards as Al-Nassr can provide a more lucrative deal for both Villa and Duran. Despite only making four starts in the Premier League this season, Duran's impact has been significant, netting 12 goals in 28 appearances.

His performances have attracted attention from numerous European clubs, reports the Express. There are complications around a potential move to the Middle East, though, with Al-Nassr also exploring a deal to buy Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface.

Villa had been said to want over £80million to enter talks for Duran this month. In October, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal, a spectacular effort securing a 1–0 victory over Bayern Munich. Shortly after, he seemed to pledge his long-term future to Villa by signing a new contract until 2030.

Chelsea first showed interest in Duran 12 months ago, seeking a loan for the player. They also pushed for a transfer in the summer but now appear to have different plans. Arsenal are in the market for a centre forward themselves.

Following Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham, Villa boss Unai Emery acknowledged the speculation surrounding Duran was causing a distraction but maintained his desire to keep the striker at the club. The manager addressed the current challenges impacting the team's concentration, stating: "The circumstances in this moment are not helping us to be 100% focused."

He added: "But Jhon Duran is our player and I am happy with him. I want him here with us. I want him here." Despite the distractions, Duran's role within the squad remains as a key substitute, once again entering the fray for Ollie Watkins at the 66-minute mark.

This appearance marks the 16th time Duran has been called upon from the bench in the second half during the Premier League's 2024/25 season. He is still playing second fiddle to Watkins, although there have been attempts to get them onto the field together.

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