Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is on the verge of departing the club, having begun his farewells to teammates and staff as he prepares for a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. The 21-year-old Colombian forward is expected to undergo a medical examination imminently, with reports indicating that the deal could be worth up to £77 million (€64.5 million), potentially including performance-related add-ons. This development could complicate Arsenal’s pursuit of Villa's Ollie Watkins.
Duran was absent from Villa's recent 4-2 victory over Celtic, a match that secured their progression to the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League. Following the game, he was seen exchanging gifts with his colleagues and club personnel, a clear indication that his departure is imminent, as reported by The Mirror.
In addressing the futures of both Duran and Watkins, Villa's head coach Unai Emery remarked, "I don't know if Jhon Duran is leaving. But if he is, it is good news for us because he is leaving because it is good money. It is for the club, the players and the team. I don't know if he will leave or not. Watkins is our striker.” Villa remains resolute in their intention to retain Watkins, despite Arsenal's plans to submit an improved offer following the rejection of their initial £60 million bid.
Arsenal has long held an interest in Watkins, with manager Mikel Arteta appreciating the player's work ethic, speed, and creativity. As the January transfer window approaches its conclusion, the urgency for Arsenal is palpable. Arteta, when questioned about Watkins prior to Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Girona, stated, “I can't talk about any of that.” He expressed confidence in the club’s commitment to improvement: “My confidence is that we have an amazing club with people always working to try and improve. Let's see what happens.”
Arteta has openly acknowledged the need to bolster his attacking options, particularly in light of injuries to key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. “My opinion is clear - we lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people and options in the front line, it's clear," he noted last week. “If we can get the right player, that's what we are actively looking at.”
In addition to Watkins, Arsenal is reportedly considering Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel, who is seeking increased playing time. However, they face stiff competition from Chelsea, another Premier League club keen on acquiring the young forward. As the transfer window nears its end, the situation remains fluid, with both clubs navigating a complex landscape of player acquisitions.