Aston Villa's Jhon Duran has emerged as a player of considerable interest, with reports indicating that discussions have taken place between his representatives and Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, regarding a potential transfer in the forthcoming summer window. The Colombian forward, who is just 21 years old, has enjoyed a remarkable season, already matching his goal tally from the previous campaign by netting eight times before the end of October. Although his early appearances were primarily as a substitute, Duran found his scoring touch in December, contributing four goals before a red card in a match against Newcastle United curtailed his momentum.
In response to his impressive performances, Aston Villa have moved to secure Duran's future by offering him a contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2030. This strategic decision aims to deter interest from other clubs, notably Chelsea and West Ham United, who have both shown a keen interest in the young talent. Nevertheless, Barcelona's interest remains strong, as they recognise Duran's potential to enhance their squad.
According to the Spanish publication SPORT, the meeting between Deco and Duran's representative from the J7 Sports agency was informal but underscored Duran's enthusiasm about the prospect of joining Barcelona. However, it is worth noting that he is not currently regarded as the club's primary target for the striker position.
Barcelona's current leading striker, Robert Lewandowski, has been prolific in La Liga but has recently experienced a dip in form, managing only two league goals since October. With Lewandowski approaching 37 years of age at the start of the next season, Barcelona are exploring alternative options, including Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.
Following Duran's contract renewal, Aston Villa are likely to set a transfer fee in the region of £50 million to £60 million, a significant increase from the £40 million valuation he could have commanded last summer. Barcelona, having navigated financial challenges in recent years, also faces the prospect of losing Dani Olmo and Pau Victor on free transfers due to registration complications for the latter half of the season.
Despite these financial constraints, Barcelona appears poised to strengthen their squad, having successfully implemented the "1:1" rule, which permits the club to spend one euro for every euro earned. This development positions them to be active participants in the upcoming transfer market, potentially making a move for Duran if circumstances align. As the summer window approaches, the situation surrounding the young forward will be one to watch closely, particularly for Aston Villa fans who will be eager to see their promising talent continue to flourish at Villa Park.