Jhon Duran transfer latest as Unai Emery responds to Aston Villa bombshell
Unai Emery admits the £65m offer Al-Nassr presented to Aston Villa to sign Jhon Duran was too good to turn down.
The 21-year-old, who has only started seven matches in all competitions this season, is due to have a medical in London on Thursday ahead of joining the Saudi Pro League side. He was on the bench in the club's 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League and was the subject of several questions in Emery's post-match press conference.
“The club is working and we have to be intelligent and competitive," Emery said when asked if Duran was leaving. "When we are developing players and increasing our objectives, getting it and playing in the Champions League, we are in the eyes of strong teams and leagues like Arabia.
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"I can feel proud of it because they are improving and players are of interest to other clubs. As well, they are paying good money for us. Our objective is to keep the structure intelligently.
"Sometimes maybe we have to sell players, but as well change and replace them with good players as well. If he is leaving, it is good news for us because it is good money for us and we have developed the player in two years getting this offer. This is for the club, players and the team. Those three circumstances and minimum of two: the club and the team."
Emery added: "You know my opinion about him. He has fantastic potential. I was trying to get him with my advice for everything. I was so, so close with him, working with him in his development.
"The players have their ambitions and sometimes they are impatient. If he leaves it is because he wants to do another way in his career."
