A complete timeline of how Jhon Duran’s transfer saga has progressed throughout the summer amid heavy speculation that he will leave Aston Villa.
Villa have been highly active during the transfer window this summer. Plenty of new faces have joined Villa Park as they prepare for the Champions League.
However, many big names have also departed. Both Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby are no longer at the club, leaving for massive fees.
Another name that has long been linked away is Duran. The transfer saga for the Colombian has lasted throughout the summer but no move has materialised yet.
Below, Aston Villa News has highlighted every major moment surrounding the striker this transfer window.
May 2024: Jhon Duran’s Aston Villa future is in doubt
The first signs that Duran might not be a Villa player for much longer started in early May. Aston Villa News were exclusively told that the Colombian’s future was in doubt by Graeme Bailey.
He said: “It’ll be interesting to see what they do in the forward line because, someone like Jhon Duran, I’m not sure whether he has a long-term future at Villa from what I’m hearing, so that’ll be an interesting one.”
Early June 2024: Chelsea are linked with Jhon Duran
One of the main clubs that have pursued Duran throughout the transfer window is Chelsea. The capital side were seen as the front-runners in early June as they held ‘strong interest’ in the striker.
Conor Gallagher was tooted to go the other way in a potential swap deal between the two clubs.
Mid-June: Jhon Duran sees Chelsea as ‘priority’ as Aston Villa name asking price
As the rumours continued to circulate regarding Duran and Chelsea, it became clear that the striker preferred the Blues over the other clubs interested.
Fabrizio Romano reported that contract talks had been discussed between the two parties with the Colombian seeing Chelsea as a ‘priority’.
It was also reported that Villa would demand around £40 million for Duran if a deal was to be done this summer.
Late June: Chelsea have doubts over Jhon Duran transfer
The first cracks in Duran’s potential transfer to Chelsea were shown in late June. It was believed that the Blues had two major doubts over the transfer.
Firstly, Chelsea had concerns over Villa’s £40 million valuation of the striker. On top of this, there were reservations about how much game time Duran would demand at the club believing that he may be ‘impatient’.
Early July: West Ham enter the race for Jhon Duran
After the transfer to Chelsea appeared unlikely, another club from the capital entered the race for the striker.
Fabrizio Romano reported in early July that West Ham had submitted a bid for Duran as they looked to increase their attacking options.
Negotiations were underway between the two clubs and the striker had already agreed personal terms with the Hammers ahead of the proposed move.
Mid-July: Jhon Duran ‘demands’ move to West Ham
As the weeks progressed, Duran continued to remain at Villa Park with West Ham and the Birmingham outfit locked in negotiations.
It had been reported that the Hammers had already had three bids rebuffed for the striker and while an agreement was getting closer, the Colombian had grown impatient.
According to James Nursey, Duran had told Villa that he wants to move to West Ham this summer.
While Chelsea and Newcastle remained interested, the striker preferred the Hammers to link up with Spanish-speaking manager Julen Lopetegui. However, Villa were still set to demand £40 million for Duran.
Late July: Aston Villa fans outraged at striker
By the end of July, nothing had yet been made official and Duran was still a Villa player. However, this did not stop the striker from doing something he may regret.
While live on Instagram, Duran made the ‘Irons’ gesture which outraged Villa fans across social media. Many saw it as highly disrespectful with the Colombian still under contract at Villa Park.
