Al Nassr agree £64.5m deal with Aston Villa for Jhon Duran, medical booked | OneFootball

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is on the verge of completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, with the Colombian striker set to undergo a medical in London on Thursday, per The Athletic.

Villa will receive a whopping €77 million (£64.5m) plus add-ons, making Duran one of the most expensive departures in their history.

The 21-year-old Villa centre-forward has already agreed personal terms with the Saudi Pro League side and is expected to sign a five-and-a-half-year contract.

If the transfer is finalised, it will mark the end of Al Nassr’s interest in Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface as they turn to the Villa frontman to bolster their attacking options.

Despite his limited starting opportunities, Duran has been a crucial asset for Villa this season, netting 12 goals in 29 appearances in only seven starts.

He has tallied 20 goals in 78 matches across all competitions since arriving from Chicago Fire in January 2023 for £17.75m.

Villa’s decision to cash in on Duran comes after rejecting West Ham United’s £57 million bid earlier this month.

The club had secured the striker’s long-term future with a contract extension until 2030 in October. However, the financial allure of the Saudi market appears to have swayed the decision-makers at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, Villa remain resolute in their stance on Ollie Watkins, who has attracted interest from Arsenal. The Gunners approached the Birmingham club for the England international on Monday, but it was swiftly dismissed as Unai Emery plans to keep him.

Villa are reportedly unhappy with the timing of the approach, and rightly so. The Gunners know Watkins is an Arsenal fan and never gave the Villains a heads-up, only to pop in this late in the window with a bid.

The Villans are focused on securing a top-four finish in the league and making a deep run in the Champions League and cannot afford to lose their two strikers this late in the window.