Aston Villa star Jhon Duran told what he needs to do to complete Real Madrid transfer
Jhon Duran has averaged a goal every 39 minutes in the Premier League this season after the Colombian international opted to stay at Aston Villa amid summer interest
by Tom Victor · The MirrorJhon Duran's uncle hopes the Colombian striker's next move will see him join Real Madrid, though he's suggested that won't happen if he doesn't put in the work behind the scenes.
Duran, 20, joined current club Aston Villa from Chicago Fire in 2023. He has started just three Premier League games, making a further 38 substitute appearances in the competition, but Villa faced a fight to hang onto him over the summer.
Chelsea and West Ham have both been linked, but the striker ended up staying put and making a flying start to the season. His four league goals for Unai Emery's team have come at a rate of one every 39 minutes, and include winners away at West Ham and at home to Everton.
In September, it emerged that Barcelona were exploring a swoop for the South American, who played in both of Colombia's World Cup qualifiers in September. However, according to uncle Oswaldo 'Sombra' Duran, the required improvement could yet see Barca's great rivals come calling.
“We are talking about a player who, if he has his feet on the ground, if he lets himself be guided by his advisors, will be very great because he is very young and is not yet mature as an athlete,” Oswaldo told Gol Caracol (via Sport Witness). “If his behaviour was not the best, it is normal; you have to let him see it and he will correct it. Having character is different from seeing or believing that others are less than me.
“Not speaking to people is not character for me, but because I am related to him and have known him since I was a child we believe that we have already achieved everything and since he is young, he may suddenly think that, but I have enormous faith that he is going to correct his behaviour.
“Jhon Jader is still a 20-year-old boy and there is a lot of room for improvement. When he plays as a starter, he will be among the top scorers in any league he plays in. God gave him virtues that he has to take advantage of and polish, such as his aerial game or getting behind the backs of defenders. Let’s hope that the next sale is to Real Madrid.”
Can you see Jhon Duran in Real Madrid colours? Have your say in the comments section
Duran found himself in hot water over the summer after appearing to make a West Ham gesture during a live stream. The Hammers had made efforts to sign the youngster but instead ended up signing Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, who has struggled with an injury sustained on international duty.
Villa knocked back some 40 bids for the striker over the summer, and he has shown his worth in a limited amount of time on the pitch as he vies with Ollie Watkins for starts. In addition to his four Premier League goals, Duran netted in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win away to Wycombe Wanderers.
“Unai is very confident with Jhon Duran," Villa's president of football operations Monchi said in early September. "Very confident. He thinks he can become one of the best strikers in the world in the next 12 months. He is 100 per cent convinced.
“So, what is the problem? We also have Ollie Watkins and Duran wants to play. He thinks he is better than Watkins. That is normal because every player thinks he is better than their team-mates. To manage Watkins and Duran is not easy but at the end it is the best for the team. If you have two big strikers it is better than only one.”
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