January transfer window closing in less than a week, Aston Villa will have a busy January transfer window finale as Jhon Duran is anticipated to join Al-Nassr and Arsenal is expected to make a second bid for Ollie Watkins.
Jhon Duran, a 21-year-old striker for Aston Villa, has given farewell presents to teammates and club employees as he prepares to move to Saudi Arabia.
In preparation for a big-money move worth €77 million (£64.5 million) plus add-ons that could destroy Arsenal’s chances of acquiring Ollie Watkins, Duran is set to have a medical with Al-Nassr. As Villa defeated Celtic 4-2 to advance to the Champions League round of 16, Duran was benched.
Additionally, according to TNT Sports, the striker was spotted giving out gifts to teammates and staff in the tunnel following the game, indicating that his departure is likely. Villa manager Unai Emery responded, “I don’t know if Jhon Duran is leaving,” when asked about the futures of Duran and Watkins.
“But if he is, it is good news for us because he is leaving because it is good money. It is for the club, the players and the team. I don’t know if he will leave or not. Watkins is our striker.”
Arsenal is prepared to make a better offer after their initial £60 million bid was turned down, but Villa is still committed to keeping Watkins this month. Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has long admired the England international’s work ethic, quickness, and inventiveness.
With the January transfer window closing in less than a week, Arsenal is running out of time. Arteta responded, “I can’t talk about any of that,” when questioned about Watkins prior to Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Girona.
“I have no doubt that our club is fantastic, with members constantly striving to get better. Let’s observe what occurs. Arteta has previously expressed his intention to bolster his forward line, especially in the wake of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka’s severe injuries.
“My opinion is clear – we lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people and options in the front line, it’s clear,” Arteta stated last week. “Although we are actively searching for the right player, we cannot accept any player.
Since we were already short and now we are even shorter, it is obvious that we need assistance during the time we have lost them. We need someone who improves us and has an influence on the team. The team is still able to handle that, but we must act in the best interests of the club.
Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich, who wishes to move this month in pursuit of more playing time, is another player that Arsenal is interested in. Chelsea, a Premier League rival, is one of their rivals for the teenager, though.