Aston Villa reportedly consider striker Jhon Duran not for sale amid ongoing speculation of interest in the Colombian international in the January transfer window.
After a contentious summer last year filled with off-the-pitch antics and questionable comments, doubts were raised over Duran’s future at Villa, but Unai Emery and his teammates have since spoken about his improved attitude and application, dating back to when he reported for pre-season training.
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The 21-year-old hasn’t looked back since as he’s not only scored 12 goals in 26 appearances so far this season as he’s now starting to provide serious competition for Ollie Watkins in leading the Villa line, but he also put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with the club in November to secure his future with us until 2030.
In turn, all the signs are already pointing towards Duran staying and continuing to be an important part of Emery’s plans, but with rumours continuing to circulate of interest in him from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham Utd over the past week, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Villa consider him not for sale this month and so exit talk has seemingly been dismissed.
Duran’s valuation will certainly have shot up given the first half of the campaign that he’s had, as he’s not only scored goals more consistently, but he’s showing positive signs in his ability to adapt and develop his all-round game to become a focal point of the Villa attack and rival Watkins for that starting berth.
He will return from suspension in midweek against Everton after serving a three-game ban following his red card at Newcastle Utd, and there is a genuine question over whether or not he should come straight back into the side, such was his impact and positive influence prior to his absence.
With that in mind, and as Villa continue to try and compete on multiple fronts as we eye silverware in the FA Cup, try to advance as far as possible in the Champions League and secure a return to Europe next year through our finish in the Premier League table, we’ll undoubtedly need the firepower that we currently boast.
The hope is that Duran can continue his impressive form and continue to improve, and while a crazy offer could perhaps turn Villa’s head and force the club’s management to consider it, the suggestion in the report above is that we have no intention of letting Duran leave any time soon as he’ll be a fundamental part of our push in the second half of this season, and rightly so given the strides that he’s taken over the past five months or so.
Durán going no where, he never was it’s just the media trying it on
Also I can’t see why we are considering selling Barry on a permanent basis he’s the same age as Duran and deserves a go in the first team just needs a bit of game time with Villa to gain confidence.
From a financial point of view yes it’s difficult but we should keep Buendia as well a very talented player and a sale could come back to bite us