Unai Emery makes Jhon Duran request amid £80m Aston Villa transfer claim
Unai Emery has urged Jhon Duran to ignore outside speculation and focus on Aston Villa’s important clash with West Ham this weekend, but admits he doesn’t know what the final week of the window could hold.
The striker has been linked with numerous clubs this month despite pledging his future to Villa until 2030 three-and-a-half months ago when he penned fresh terms. Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are the latest team to signal their interest in Duran with reports claiming they are ready to make an eye-watering bid to prise him away from Villa Park.
It has been reported by The Telegraph that Al-Nassr - who have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks - are aware a bid worth £80m will be needed for there to be any chance of tempting Villa to a possible sale. While the Premier League club are insistent he is not for sale in the winter window, Emery did not go as far as ruling a move out for the 21-year-old in the final nine days of the window when given the opportunity to speak about reports linking him with a move.
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Asked if he is frustrated with the amount of speculation around Duran's future despite him signing a long-term deal back in October, Emery said: "It is not only with Jhon Duran but other players as well.
"When we are inside, I am focusing a lot on how we are thinking and planning each match and every player is focusing on it. Maybe some players can be in some rumours to leave from here or come here from other teams, but I think every team is in the same situation.
"My focus and with the players we have is on the match against West Ham and being professional, mature, responsible and serious. And then of course maybe in a few days some players can leave as well and some players can join from other teams.
"But the group we have here now has to be professional and responsible and play, focusing on each match. Then, I don't know exactly until the last day of the transfer window how many players we can change in this squad - but on Sunday we are here with the players we have and 100 per cent focused on the match."
Duran has scored 12 goals this season despite only making seven starts in all competitions. He made his first appearance on Tuesday night against Monaco since being sent off for violent conduct in the Boxing Day trip to St. James’ Park.
