The agent of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has spoken about his future at the club and touched on reported interest from Chelsea.
The 20-year-old made 37 appearances across all competitions this past season and scored eight goals, as he emerged as an important option for Unai Emery to provide cover behind Ollie Watkins.
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Speculation though has raised question marks over Duran’s long-term future at Villa, with Emery insisting that he believes in the young Colombian international and is working hard to help him adapt and settle in to showcase his full potential.
However, he also conceded in that same press conference that although he’s happy with him, as with every player, it remains to be seen if something were to happen in the upcoming transfer window.
What is clear is that Duran has a pivotal role to play at Villa in the current squad given our lack of depth behind Watkins up front, and so although it’s hoped that he stays and continues to improve and develop his game to become an even bigger influence, if an exit makes sense for us or if he does want out, then it’s hoped a solution can be found that suits all.
His agent delivered a similar message to Emery this week, but added that Duran wants to play and things are seemingly open regarding the transfer market.
“He is a player who has a contract with Aston Villa, he ended up doing things very well and the coach is counting on him, it is a club that having gotten into the Champions League is a great opportunity, but we know that he wants to play, he wants to go out and play, let’s see,” Jonathan Herrera, Duran’s agent, told Caracol Radio. “Now the market is opening, the club is looking at some options and so are we.
“The interest [from Chelsea] has always existed. The fact that Pochettino continues or leaves the club (should not affect), the one who wants him in the end is the club. He is a player who, whether they change coaches or not, is something we will see what happens, but there has always been an interest. Let’s see how we can handle it and make sure Aston Villa is ready.”
Recent comments from John McGinn after our draw with Liverpool a fortnight ago also raised concern over Duran’s character, and so although he is obviously talented and is capable of making a crucial impact, his personality and mentality has to match with what Emery wants and how the other players carry themselves too.
Ultimately, whatever decision is made will be the right one in Emery’s mind that will benefit Villa moving forward, and so it remains to be seen if Duran is one of the players to move on this summer, with Villa also needing to be wary of PSR and balancing our books in this upcoming window to allow us to spend on reinforcements.
I understand Villa will likely need to sell someone like Duran or Ramsey, and if they don’t it will likely be a bigger star leaving like Douglas Luiz or even Watkins… just a fact of life with the PSR Situation.
Jhon Duran for a nice fee makes sense then, and it seems to be his focus anyway (and to be fair he is the 2nd choice ST at least another season in Villa).
If Emery wants to bring in a record-breaking signing, i think selling Luiz on a big fee makes the next-most sense. Or he could cash in on Ollie Watkins and simply reset the ST position.