Arsenal 'lining up bid' for £75m-rated Premier League striker for possible bold January transfer raid

Arsenal have expressed their interest in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran and have enquired about him as a possible January transfer, according to reports. The 20-year-old already has seven goals in 12 games so far this season and has impressed both in the Premier League and Champions League.

Duran scored in Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday which has helped Unai Emery’s side to the top of the table after three matches in the new ‘league phase’.

According to AS Columbia, the Gunners are lining up a bid as one of two big clubs who want to sign the 20-year-old. The other is La Liga side Barcelona who, due to their financial struggle, would be made as second-favourites to land the Columbian international.

Aston Villa tied Duran down to a new contract in an attempt to drive his price up. He is now contracted at Villa Park until June 2030. AS Columbia claims that they will now not accept anything less than £75 million for the striker as Unai Emery wants to keep hold of him amid his excellent start to the season.

Former Premier League interest in Jhon Duran

Arsenal aren’t the first Premier League club to show interest in the 20-year-old as West Ham United attempted to sign Duran over the summer. Villa ended up rejecting a £32 million bid for the striker, a good move considering his elevated value now.

Furthermore, Chelsea were in advanced talks to sign Jhon Duran early in the summer, however, no move came to fruition as the Blues prioritised their pursuit of Victor Osimhen instead.

There is a chance that the Blues could re-open their interest in Duran during the January transfer window, after as they failed to sign Osimhen who is now on loan from Napoli at Galatasaray.

Arsenal likely to target a striker in January

The Gunners wanted to add a goal scorer during the summer as they had expressed interest in Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko, who Manchester United have now shown interest in. However, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to add a striker meaning they could target one in January.

German international Kai Havertz has stepped up into the role up front however as he has four goals and one assist in eight Premier League matches, which could tempt Mikel Arteta to avoid spending on a new striker and heading into the back end of the season relying on Havertz as Arsenal’s main goal threat.