Villa’s Duran close to move to Saudi club Al-Nassr

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is close to completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, sources have confirmed to BBC Sport.

Duran, who was on the bench for Villa’s 4-2 victory over Celtic on Wednesday night, is receiving a medical on Thursday after a fee agreement has been reached between the two clubs.

A price of £65m for the 21-year-old Colombian has been reported, although not verified by BBC Sport.

If the medical procedure is successful, Duran will take a flight to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, according to a senior Saudi Pro League source.

Sources told BBC Sport that Duran was saying his goodbyes to staff and colleagues at Villa Park on Wednesday night after the deal progressed.

This week, a Saudi delegation has been negotiating the deal in London.

Aston Villa has received a request to speak with them.

In response to Arsenal’s unsuccessful bid, Villa manager Unai Emery was questioned following the match on Wednesday about the prospects of Duran and striker Ollie Watkins.

On Duran, Emery said: “If he is leaving it’s because he wants]to]. I promised to bring him here last week.

” We are different people, different objectives.

“The club is functioning, and we must be market-savvy.

Our goal is to maintain our structure because we want to maintain the highest standards, and we may need to sell some players. I’m not sure when that will be done, but if Jhon Duran leaves, it will be good for us because it’s good money.

Duran left Chicago Fire for £18 million in January 2023, but he is now expected to leave in a deal that is said to be worth more than £64 million plus add-ons.

In the summer Duran courted controversy. According to reports, he had reportedly agreed to personal terms with West Ham, and he crossed his arms to imitate the Irons logo on live social media.

Earlier this month, West Ham reportedly had a £57m bid for Duran rejected by Villa.

Duran has scored 12 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions this season, but manger Unai Emery has preferred England’s Watkins as his first-choice striker.

Villa turned down an approach from Arsenal for Watkins, 29, in the build-up to their game against Scottish champions Celtic.