Jhon Duran looks increasingly likely to stay at Aston Villa this summer but that has not stopped Unai Emery pursuing a move for another centre-forward.
Speculation regarding Jhon Duran‘s future has been relentless ever since Chelsea first expressed their interest in the Aston Villa striker in January.
The player’s actions have only added fuel to the the fire with Duran getting involved in social media posts about Chelsea prior to doing a West Ham gesture on an Instagram live this summer amid links with a move to the London Stadium.
The 20-year-old’s behaviour will have had Unai Emery tearing his hair out, but the signs are that there has been a change in the position of both club and player.
Perhaps tellingly, Duran has been handed the number nine shirt for the new season and the talk before Villa’s opening game of the season – coincidentally against West Ham – was that Duran may have performed a U-turn on wanting to leave.
Duran came off the bench to score the winner against the Hammers on Saturday and his celebration appeared to be both an attempt to apologise to Villa fans and confirmation he is staying all in one outpouring of emotion.
- READ MORE: Gregg Evans says what everyone is thinking about Jhon Duran after Aston Villa’s win vs West Ham
Aston Villa pushing to sign Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion despite Jhon Duran decision
Duran acted as back up to undisputed first-choice centre-forward Ollie Watkins last season.
It was a role many expected he would be satisfied with given he is only 20 and had recently made the move from Chicago Fire in the MLS.
However, Chelsea’s interest in January clearly unsettled the Colombian.
Now that he looks increasingly likely to stay, Villa fans will be excited about seeing more of the powerful striker and they could now be set to see another physical forward added to their squad.
That is according to Spanish publication El Desmarque, who claim that Villa are willing to pay up to £30 million to sign Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion.
The report claims that the Villans have opened negotiations and – whilst West Ham and Real Sociedad are both interested in the 20-year-old – it is the Villa Park club that have ‘accelerated’ their push for a deal.
Omorodion looked set to join Chelsea earlier in the summer but a move fell through at the last minute.
Chelsea have since signed Emery target Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, whilst Diego Simeone has welcomed Conor Gallagher to the Spanish capital.
- READ MORE: Chelsea have Moussa Diaby alternative Aston Villa can sign as they hijack Joao Felix transfer
Omorodion an ‘imposing’ striker who could bolster Aston Villa options
Atletico only signed Omorodion from Getafe for a fee of around £5 million last summer but could already sanction his sale.
This is partly because the club spent £82 million on another striker in Julian Alvarez and need to balance the books with sales, but the youngster also offers Atletico the opportunity to turn a quick profit on a player who is yet to play for the club.
Despite that, Omorodion would be an exciting proposition at Villa having scored eight goals and provided one assist in La Liga whilst on loan at Alaves last season.
Speaking on the talented striker, Alaves head coach Luis Garcia said: “He’s a player with a privileged physique, imposing just looking at him.
“Big, strong, fast, wants to learn and improve. His movement into space is very good, and he wins a lot of duels. He needs to demand more of himself to become a really top player.”
With the striker clearly held in high esteem in Spain, Emery will be desperate to get his hands on Omorodion this summer.
