January 26th 2025.
Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, has issued a warning to other clubs who are interested in signing their striker, Jhon Duran, before the January transfer window closes. Despite being on the bench in their recent Premier League match against West Ham, Duran has been a regular starter for the team, with only four league games this season where he was not in the starting lineup. This has sparked speculations about a potential exit for Duran, with previous links to West Ham and Chelsea before joining Aston Villa for £17m.
During the current January transfer window, West Ham has reportedly made a bid of £57m for Duran, while Arsenal has also shown interest in the 21-year-old as they look to strengthen their attacking options. However, Emery has made it clear that he wants Duran to stay at Aston Villa, despite the distractions caused by transfer rumors.
In his 28 appearances for Aston Villa this season, Duran has scored 12 goals, but his numbers could have been even better if he had more regular playing time. Speaking before their match against West Ham, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher suggested that Aston Villa should consider selling Duran for a higher price, as they have a talented young striker in Ollie Watkins who can lead the line for years to come.
Carragher also highlighted the importance of giving players regular playing time, as seen in Tottenham's struggles to find a backup for Harry Kane in the past. He believes that Watkins could reach his full potential if he didn't have to worry about being replaced by Duran in every game.
Despite the distractions, Aston Villa managed to secure a 1-1 draw against West Ham, with Emerson Palmieri's goal in the 70th minute canceling out Jacob Ramsey's early opener. Emery expressed his desire for more success, as they aim to qualify for Europe and are still looking to make some moves in the transfer window.
As the manager, Emery is determined to keep his players focused and motivated, despite the ongoing transfer rumors. He knows that the team's success depends on their performances on the field, and he wants to make sure that they are fully prepared for their upcoming matches, including their next one on Wednesday. With the transfer window closing soon, Emery and his team will also be looking to make some strategic moves to strengthen their squad. They have their sights set on playing in Europe, and Emery is determined to make it happen.
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