Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has said that he is hopeful that something comes of the rumours linking him with a move to a "big team" this summer.
Having joined Villa from MLS side Chicago Fire in January last year the fans were hopeful that whilst Duran would get the occasional opportunity to play for the first team, that as years went on they would see him develop into a top striker in claret and blue. However, for a while now it seems Duran and his agent have been doing a lot of talking and negotiating to get a move away from Villa Park.
It has been well publicised that Duran had been very keen on a move to Chelsea and his social media activity that saw him 'liking' a large amount of Chelsea content seemed to be working in his favour. Chelsea and Villa were reportedly close to a deal earlier this summer but it has now been revealed that the London club only valued Duran at ยฃ20 million whilst Villa want a fee closer to ยฃ40 million.
As the negotiations with Chelsea faded, West Ham United entered the picture and are now the most likely to sign the young Colombian international. The Hammers are understood to have had two initial offers rejected but are very close to reaching an agreement with Villa now.
๐ต๐ฃ Aston Villa keep contacts active for Joรฃo Fรฉlix as heโs the dream target for Unai Emery.
โ Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 24, 2024
Expensive package, deal not easy but Villa are still there.
โช๏ธ๐จ๐ด Negotiations continue with West Ham to agree on Jhon Durรกn deal, he wants the move. pic.twitter.com/y3fkPeEQTY
Aston Villa fans have felt immense frustration towards the young forward as a result of his willingness to give up his Villa career at the drop of a hat. This is what he has had to say in the last few hours:
""The fact my name is mentioned with such big teams, it is very important for my career. I'm happy that there are these rumours and let's hope that something concrete happens.""Jhon Duran
Duran is currently on holiday following his participation in the Copa America so hasn't been a part of Villa's pre-season schedule thus far. It is highly likely that before or very quickly after the conclusion of that holiday he will get his move.
The fact the player has repeatedly searched for a move and talks about moving to a "big team" when it looks likely he will leave a team about to play in the Champions League for a fellow Premier League team that is not competing in Europe at all next season, will be baffling for Aston Villa fans. It is obvious he wishes to play regular first team football elsewhere as his chances at Villa are limited by the form and class of England striker Ollie Watkins, but his attitude and professionalism have come under scrutiny as a result of these actions and comments.
The tweets below show a selection of thoughts/opinions from the Villa fan base on Jhon Duran and his disrespect to the club.
Duran, you had the world at your feet. So obviously a top top player in there and he wouldโve got UCL minutes. Toys well and truly thrown out the pram and the people around him are yes men rather than telling him to be patient. So frustrating but heโs got to go now.
โ Dan (@1874dan) July 24, 2024
Jhon Duran needs to be gone sooner rather than later
โ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ณ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ (@TheVillaHome) July 24, 2024
Jhon Duran needs to leave this football club. Iโm sick of him and his team chatting shite, were a club on the verge of our first UCL campaign, we donโt need this rumbling on.
โ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ต๐ณ๐๐น | ๐ (@theavfcfaithful) July 24, 2024
A real case of immaturity with Duran for me. There's talent there for sure...but he has repeatedly shown that he doesn't have maturity or class to go with it.
โ The Villa Wiki (@AVFCWiki) July 24, 2024
He played a part in getting us into the CL and is very unlikely to be able to play in it elsewhere next season. #avfc https://t.co/KxMcOBjGk2
UTV