Latest developments
- Jhon Duran made impressive under Unai Emery at Aston Villa
- Paris St-Germain want the striker in the winter
- Luis Enrique wants to improve attack after Kylian Mbappe departure
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2/5): Interest possible, source flimsy
Aston Villa‘s Jhon Duran has been on fire since the start of the season as everybody's favourite super-sub has been Unai Emery's go-to man when needing a result in the second half. The Colombian striker has scored the winning goal off the bench on four occasions, against Bayern Munich, West Ham, Leicester and Everton.
Paris St-Gemain's eyes might have lit up looking at the striker as Luis Enrique's squad has been a little flat without an outright threat in front of goal since Kylian Mbappe‘s departure.
Spanish publication Fichajes' scoops need to be taken with a massive pinch of salt. Their reports are often sensationalised, especially when it comes to top teams outside of La Liga.
Value (2/5): PSG have money but Duran won't come cheap
Paris St-Germain decided not to spend big in the summer despite Mbappe's move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, and as such, the Ligue 1 champions have a bucketload of money at their disposal should Enrique feel the need to splash the cash to improve his squad.
However, Duran recently signed a new contract with Aston Villa until the summer of 2025 and the Villians will be certainly not keen on losing the promising youngster.
Aston Villa could quote a ridiculous price tag for Duran if PSG come knocking. However, if one thing is for certain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi's side will never shy away from a deal due to a mammoth release clause. If Al-Khelaifi wants a player, he gets that player at any cost.
Suitability (4.5/5): A fox in the box that PSG want to hunt
Duran possesses the sort of ego and self-belief that an elite striker requires to make it big. The Colombian has all the traits needed from a young striker: clinicality in front of goal, pace, strength and most importantly, the need to prove himself.
The Aston Villa striker may not be a traditional forward, standing at just over 6 feet tall. However, the Colombian's natural movement in attack under Emery has shown a lot of promise. Additionally, his shooting prowess needs no introduction and as such, a move to PSG would see him quickly become the French side's permanent number nine.
Upgrade? (4.5/5): Duran's go-getter style could benefit PSG
Paris St-Germain currently lack a go-getter in their squad and while the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos have shown a lot of promise, they lack a superstar who can make the attack his own.
Despite his lack of experience, Duran's skill set would put him on a pedestal far above PSG's current stars. Additionally, Duran's burst of pace and ability to make clever runs behind the defensive line could help him exploit Ligue 1's high lines very easily.
Logic (2.5/5): Would Duran want to miss out on Aston Villa's rise to the top
PSG would definitely be a massive move for Duran…. if it had come a few years earlier. The French side's tails are tucked in between their legs at the moment, at least in the Champions League, following Mbappe's departure. Les Parisiens lack an X-factor in terms of enticing players, with their only real shine coming from the bucketloads of money they possess.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are firmly on their way up under Emery as the Villains look to finish in the top four in the Premier League yet again. Emery's side also look like a potential candidate to make it into the knockout stages of the Champions League. While Duran would become the major superstar at PSG, he would not be keen to miss out on the success of Aston Villa.
Whisper+ final verdict – 15.5 /25
A move to Paris St-Germain would definitely be beneficial on a personal level for Duran, however, the Colombian is likely to become a superstar nonetheless under Emery.
PSG would definitely bring in a massive wage boost for Duran but could see his prominence die down due to PSG's lack of viewership outside of France.
