Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has signed a new contract as Unai Emery’s side get a real boost going into the international break.
Whilst Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday may have been a little underwhelming, the news that Jhon Duran has signed a new deal is anything but.
Duran has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since Chelsea first showed interest in the Colombian in January.
Duran’s future was one of the sagas of the summer as West Ham United pushed hardest to sign the forward, whilst Chelsea and a host of other clubs retained their interest.
Eventually, Unai Emery managed to convince Duran to stay and the 20-year-old has been on fire to start this season.
- READ MORE: The one key moment that convinced Unai Emery to accept Aston Villa stance on Jhon Duran transfer
Jhon Duran Aston Villa contract extended to 2030
Duran had only scored eight goals for Villa since signing from Chicago Fire in January 2023 going into this season, but has scored an incredible six goals already this campaign.
The winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week was simply sensational and Duran has now committed his future to Villa.
Duran already had a long-term contract, but he will now earn a significant increase on his salary which will make it more difficult for other clubs to prise him away from Villa Park.
Chief sports writer at The Express and Star, Matt Maher, has now revealed the details of the new contract, posting on X: “Jhon Duran’s new contract is until 2030 (an extension of two years on previous deal). Will also include a significant salary bump as he was among the lowest earners in the squad.”
Duran will believe he should start for Aston Villa
Duran’s goal record this season is made all the more impressive by the fact that five of those six goals have been scored when coming off the bench.
However, Duran will be keen not to be viewed as merely a super-sub and will firmly believe he should be the man leading the Villa line ahead of Ollie Watkins.
Emery did bring on Duran to play with Watkins as Villa looked for a winner against Manchester United on Sunday but more often than not it is one or the other in the Villa side.
Whilst Duran has seemingly ended any speculation on his future by committing to a new deal, Emery will continue to have the difficult task of keeping both Duran and Watkins happy going forward.
