Aston Villa Transfer Rumours: Jhon Duran out; Joao Felix in at Villa Park?
With less than a week to go until the January Transfer Window closes, Aston Villa are expected to add another centre-back to the ranks before the February 3rd deadline. Juan Foyth has been linked with a move to Villa Park, while Axel Disasi, not wanted at Chelsea, is another on the club’s radar. The departure of Diego Carlos, combined with injuries to Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, means Villa will bolster at the back sooner rather than later.
However, it’s not only in defence where Villa will add to the squad. Further forward, the Villans are expected to bring in another body to ease the burden on Ollie Watkins. While the England international has scored 10 goals and provided a further five assists in the Premier League this season, he needs support in what is already a gruelling season for Unai Emery’s side.
Jhon Duran should be the striker to provide the perfect cover and competition for Watkins, but even he may yet leave before next week’s deadline. The Colombian has routinely been linked with a move away from the Midlands outfit, with a move to Chelsea reportedly in the offing.
Jhon Duran Next Club Odds
The Blues were keen on Duran last January, and are now at 2/1 to be the youngster’s next club come the close of the window. A move to any Saudi club is also at 2/1, while West Ham, who are another that have monitored the 20-year-old closely, are at 4/1 to secure his services.
However, it would take a substantial bid for Villa to consider selling Duran this month. Indeed, transfer guru David Ornstein suggests that it would take an £80m offer for Emery’s side to sell the trigger-happy frontman in the winter window. That being said, Chelsea do have a potential ace up their sleeve in their rumoured pursuit of Duran.
The Blues signed Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid last summer to help the Spanish side finance Conor Gallagher’s move to the Spanish capital, and it’s fair to say his second spell at Stamford Bridge hasn’t quite gone to plan. Felix has started just three league games this season, scoring once and providing another across 364 minutes of top-flight action.
Joao Felix Next Club Odds
Felix has been linked with a move to Villa in the past, and Emery’s side are now at 1/2 to be the Portugal international’s next club. AC Milan are another that have been credited with an interest in Felix this month, though interest from the Italian side has since gone quiet and they have since drifted to 6/1 to sign the former Atletico man.
Nevertheless, the coming days should be busy at Villa with the club looking to strengthen at both ends of the pitch.