by With an instinctive lob over the great Manuel Neuer, Jhon Duran joined Peter Withe in the short but fine list of winners in Aston Villa’s match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Yet Duran came so close to leaving this summer, when Chelsea and West Ham both made concerted efforts to prize him away from Villa Park.
The 20-year-old has been described as an “unusual” character, and his Villa team-mate John McGinn said in May: “Big Jhon is a bit crazy. He’s sometimes a nightmare to have on your team. But he has quality moments.
Duran had shown his promise in fits and starts at the end of last season, after joining the Chicago Fire in January 2023. But the Colombian became unhappy playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins. He wanted to be the main man up front.
Chelsea already sensed this in January this year, when they first made their interest known. They revived their efforts to sign him in June, when Villa gave them permission, through gritted teeth, to discuss personal terms with Duran.
Unai Emery did not want to sell him, but the club’s desire to at least explore an exit did not arise from a desire to get rid of a restless young player, but rather from a potential solution to the club’s finances, which were close to the limit. regarding the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
The two clubs were close to reaching agreement on a deal worth around £42million, but Chelsea were keen to offer him a long-term contract with lower wages than he had hoped for. Soon it emerged that the Hammers were also interested in a move.
In an ill-advised and dangerously honest interview with ESPN Deportes this summer, Duran revealed: “I’m taking it very calmly with the help of my agent and my father, we’re taking everything little by little.
“Having my name mentioned in such big teams is very important for my career. I’m glad there are these rumors and hope something concrete happens.
In July, Duran was the subject of an official bid from West Ham, who offered £30million plus teenager Lewis Orford. Villa did not accept the deal and launched an internal investigation into Duran’s conduct when he crossed his arms during an Instagram live video with his followers, apparently imitating the Hammers’ gesture.
Emery was quite clear. Duran had been too impatient to leave but had simply made a “young man’s mistake.”
West Ham and Chelsea defeat is largely a gain for Aston Villa
Duran was left with no choice but to hold out at Villa, who quickly decided the summer situation was nothing more than water under the bridge.
He remains Watkins’ assistant but has taken his game to a whole new level in recent weeks. Five of his six goals having been scored as a substitute, this season he is the top scorer off the bench in all competitions in the five major European championships.
And five of the six were stylish match-winners for Villa – the effort against Neuer just the latest addition to an enviable run of fine strikes. The loss of West Ham and Chelsea is largely a gain for Villa.
