Jhon Duran classy Aston Villa gesture speaks volumes amid 'medical' claim
A young Aston Villa supporter will forever cherish a brief moment with Jhon Duran prior to the crucial Champions League tie with Celtic.
Duran stopped to chat with the mascots as they stood next to the tunnel prior to kick-off. He was then seen handing one of them his pre-match jacket.
The striker was named in Unai Emery's squad but remained on the bench throughout, with goalscorer Ollie Watkins selected ahead of him. On Wednesday, Fabrizio Romano reported Al-Nassr were on the 'verge' of reaching a verbal agreement with Villa for Duran.
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The Athletic now report he is set to undergo a medical in London on Thursday before a proposed transfer to the Saudi Pro League club. Villa are said to have agreed a deal worth €77million (£64.4m) plus add-ons with a five-and-a-half-year contract in place.
The Colombian, who arrived at Villa Park from Chicago Fire in 2023, has since racked up 78 appearances to date. Despite ongoing speculation over Duran's future at Villa Park, Villa boss Emery has insisted he would like to keep his player.
"Such circumstances, of course, in this moment are not helping us to be focusing 100%, but Jhon Duran is our player and I am happy with him. I want him here with us," Emery said this week. "Then asked if he was desperate to keep Duran at Villa Park, the Spaniard added: "I want him here."
The news comes just after it became public that Villa have rejected a transfer bid for fellow striker Ollie Watkins from Arsenal. The north Londoners offered £60m for the 29-year-old and the Mail claims Arsenal are expected to make an 'improved attempt' in the final days of the winter transfer window.
