Aston Villa have set an £85 million price tag for their talented striker, Jhon Duran, amid growing interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. Reports from talkSPORT indicate that Al Nassr are keen to enhance their attacking options, particularly in light of uncertainties surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future at the club.
Despite the interest from Al Nassr, Villa are understandably reluctant to part with the 21-year-old Colombian international, especially following his recent contract extension, which secures his services until 2030. The club has made it clear that any potential transfer involving Duran would necessitate a substantial financial commitment, with the £85 million figure serving as a baseline for negotiations. Even at this price point, Villa may still hesitate to sanction a transfer.
This week, West Ham United had a bid of £57 million for Duran turned down, while Paris Saint-Germain have also expressed interest but have yet to meet Villa's financial expectations. The Midlands club is expected to adopt a firm negotiating stance, although the significant financial clout of Al Nassr could test their resolve.
Duran has had a fruitful season thus far, scoring 12 goals and making notable contributions to both the Champions League and Premier League campaigns, despite not being a regular starter under manager Unai Emery. Should Villa receive a compelling offer, there is the intriguing possibility of Duran linking up with Ronaldo for the remainder of the season.
Spanish media reports suggest that Duran is open to the prospect of joining forces with Ronaldo, particularly as the Portuguese star aims for a strong finish to the season. Duran made the move to Aston Villa from Chicago Fire for £18 million in January 2023, and with the transfer window closing in ten days, speculation regarding his future is likely to intensify.
Another factor that could influence Duran's potential transfer is the situation surrounding Al Nassr’s Senegalese forward, Sadio Mane. The former Liverpool player has been linked with a return to European football but has dismissed rumours regarding moves to clubs such as Galatasaray and AC Milan. Mane, who is contracted with Al Nassr until 2026, expressed his commitment to the club, stating after a recent 3-1 victory over Al Khaleej, "Yes, I think it's part of football, and as a player, you have to accept that. Rumours will always exist, but I'm no longer a young player affected by them. I'm here and focused on my team. It doesn't bother me. My goal is to stay with Al Nassr and help win titles."
As the situation develops, Aston Villa will undoubtedly remain vigilant, balancing their ambitions for the season with the potential financial windfall that a transfer could bring.