Aston Villa's Jhon Duran finds himself at a crossroads, with increasing speculation surrounding his future amid interest from Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea. Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Villa may need to consider selling the Colombian forward, particularly given the competitive landscape of the league.
Duran has made a notable impact this season, emerging as a reliable 'super sub' with an impressive tally of 12 goals in 29 appearances. His ability to score from both close range and long distances has drawn admiration from fans and analysts alike, with standout performances against teams such as Everton and Bayern Munich further enhancing his reputation. However, despite his contributions, Duran often finds himself in the shadow of teammate Ollie Watkins, who has been instrumental for Villa. Watkins has started every match as the club's primary striker, resulting in Duran receiving limited opportunities—only four league starts and an average of just 36 minutes on the pitch per game.
Since his arrival from Brentford, Watkins has solidified his status as one of the league's most effective forwards, amassing 80 goals and providing 34 assists in 200 appearances for Villa. Coach Unai Emery has seldom deployed both Duran and Watkins together, with their on-pitch partnership yielding only eight goals in 35 matches.
During Sky Sports' Premier League coverage, Carragher addressed Duran's predicament, suggesting that a transfer could be advantageous for all parties involved. "I'd sell Jhon Duran," he stated. "It probably goes against the grain of what most football clubs would do because normally in that situation you would sell the older one. But I would probably try and get an extra 10 million. People always talk about big squads—some players just want to know when they're playing."
Carragher elaborated on the potential implications of Duran's presence on Watkins’ performance, asserting, "I don't think you're getting the best out of Ollie Watkins knowing that Jhon Duran is going to come on with 15-20 minutes every game. But he has to bring him on with 15-20 minutes to go because he's going to be unhappy." He continued, "You have players who are almost too good in the same position and one player needs to know he’s the man, and I think that’s Ollie Watkins. And I think you could get good money for Duran. Villa fans may say he’s a great young striker, but I just think the dynamic isn’t going to work; they can’t play together. Get your 50-60 million and reinvest it into the squad."
Recently, a £57 million bid from West Ham United for Duran was turned down, yet interest from Arsenal and Chelsea remains robust, as both clubs seek to enhance their attacking options. Arsenal, in particular, may be more inclined to pursue a striker, given that their only fit option in that role is Kai Havertz, who is not typically regarded as a natural number nine. Meanwhile, Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson has struggled for form since the season's outset, further highlighting their need for reinforcements.
Reports from talkSPORT indicate that Villa are seeking at least £85 million for the 21-year-old forward, a figure that is likely to attract interest from multiple clubs.
In related transfer news, Rosenborg starlet Sverre Nypan is reportedly in London for discussions regarding his future. The midfielder and his representatives are expected to meet with Arsenal officials this week, with Manchester City also keen on securing his signature. Additionally, Arsenal is preparing a £49 million bid for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, aiming to outpace rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the talented player.
These developments surrounding Duran and other potential signings underscore the dynamic nature of the transfer market, as clubs strive to strengthen their squads in anticipation of the challenges ahead.