Arsenal have made a tentative enquiry for Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran “in recent weeks”, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said that Duran has been considered as a potential alternative to other striker targets:
“What I’m told is also Arsenal made a call in recent weeks to understand the situation of Jhon Duran because [Benjamin] Sesko, at the moment, no green light from Leipzig. Also, Alexander Isak, the dream target of Arsenal, super expensive, very complicated, impossible is nothing in football, but very complicated. So in the recent weeks, Arsenal also called to understand the situation of Jhon Duran, but no bid, no direct negotiations with Aston Villa.”
With suggestions that the Gunners will make a move for a forward before the transfer window closes, fans on X have been discussing whether the club should be pursuing Duran:
Not for the prices quoted. It ain’t happening.
— Adam Woolliscroft (@AdWoolliscroft) January 28, 2025
Another mid striker
— 𝕽𝖚𝖙𝖙𝖔 (@ezrandez) January 28, 2025
Not worth discussing because it won't be happening at that price.
— Alan Cody 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@goonercody) January 28, 2025
Never gonna happen
— Tom (@tominoe) January 28, 2025
Would love him but £80mill is too much
— Nxno🦅🔴⚪️🇵🇹 (@AFC_SLB) January 28, 2025
No good enough for Arsenal, at this level we need top tier players
— Ndumiso (@ndumisoshobede_) January 28, 2025
Why not spent the 100m on Gyokeres there’s nothing to discuss here
— Panashe Gumbeze (@panasheterry) January 28, 2025
Duran’s price tag is steep
Although Aston Villa are said to be willing to offload the Colombian international this month, he won’t be sold on the cheap.
A £57m bid from West Ham was turned down last week, with the Villans said to be demanding around £80m.
Arsenal have two alternatives that would cost the same amount
For a similar fee, Mikel Arteta’s side could bring in either Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. The two strikers have release clauses worth €100m (£84m) and €75m (£63m) respectively.
With that in mind, it would be a surprise if the club did decide to pursue Duran ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.
Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here