Steely-eyed Unai Emery has final say on Jhon Duran transfer stance with clear message for suitors
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has made clear his stance on transfer interest in striker Jhon Duran.
The young Colombia international was on the subs’ bench for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham, one of the teams reported to have bid for Duran during the current transfer window.
With the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also said to be ready to test Villa’s resolve in the final week of the transfer window, plus speculation about interest in Saudi Arabia in the player, it is an issue that has driven Emery to distraction in recent days, particularly in the build-up to last week’s defeat at Monaco in the Champions League.
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But asked after the Hammers draw about a player who looked likely to leave Villa last summer before signing a new deal with the club, Emery made his position crystal clear.
Asked by Sky if there were any circumstances in which it might make sense for Duran to leave Villa in the next week, Emery said: “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.”
Then asked if he was desperate to keep Duran at Villa Park, a steely-eyed Emery added: “I want him here.”
Duran joined Villa in January 2023 from Chicago Fire in a deal worth £18m after he scored eight goals and set up six more in 28 appearances for the MLS club.
The 21-year-old committed his future to Villa back in October by signing a contract until 2030 after being courted by no fewer than 40 clubs in the summer.
He has scored 12 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions this season, but has only started seven matches, including once in the Champions League and four times in the league.
And that has seen teams across Europe and beyond try to temp Villa to part with one of their prized assets.
