Barcelona Set to Make Move for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran in Summer

Barcelona Holds Talks with Jhon Duran’s Representatives

Aston Villa Striker Jhon Duran’s Impressive Form Sparks Interest from Barcelona

Barcelona have reportedly met with the representatives of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran to discuss a potential summer move. The 21-year-old has been in scintillating form for Villa this season, catching the eye of several top clubs, including the Catalan giants.

Jhon Duran’s Standout Season at Aston Villa

Duran has been one of the standout performers for Aston Villa this season, despite starting the campaign largely as a substitute. The Colombian forward has already matched his goal tally from last season, scoring eight goals before Halloween. After a brief dip in form, Duran found his rhythm again, scoring four goals in December, before a red card against Newcastle United temporarily interrupted his progress.

Barcelona’s Interest and Talks with Duran’s Agent

Barcelona sporting director Deco met with a representative from Jhon Duran’s agency, J7 Sports, in December to discuss a potential move to the Camp Nou. The informal talks revealed that Duran would be “excited” about the possibility of joining Barcelona, although the young forward is not necessarily their top choice for the striker position.

With Barcelona’s current number nine, Robert Lewandowski, performing below his usual standards this season and nearing the end of his career, the club is considering other striker options. The likes of Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko have all been linked with the Spanish giants as potential replacements or alternatives.

Aston Villa’s £50m-£60m Price Tag for Duran

Aston Villa rewarded Duran for his strong form with a new contract that runs until 2030, aiming to ward off interest from other clubs. After signing the extension, Villa is expected to demand a fee of between £50m and £60m for the forward, up from £40m last summer.

Barcelona, who have faced financial struggles in recent years, are set to become more competitive in the transfer market following the implementation of the “1:1” rule. This rule allows the club to spend every euro they earn, providing more flexibility to pursue targets like Duran.