Jhon Duran emerges as shock Saudi Pro League target | OneFootball

Aston Villa are bracing themselves for a bid from Saudi Pro League moneybags Al Nassr for Jhon Duran, according to reports.

The 21-year-old has been earmarked as a potential addition to a forward line that boasts both Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.

Duran was the subject of a £57m bid from Premier League rivals West Ham United earlier this week, but that offer was turned down as Villa have no intention of parting ways with the Colombian while they continue to balance domestic duties with competing in the Champions League.

The Telegraph state that Al Nassr are aware of Villa's stance on Duran, who they value upwards of £80m, but are preparing to put a bid in to test their resolve.

Duran has emerged as one of the Premier League's sharpest shooters this season, registering seven goals in 598 minutes of action which have largely come as a second-half substitute for first-choice striker Ollie Watkins.

He also scored a memorable winner in the 1-0 win over Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in October, thrusting him further into the plans of manager Unai Emery, and days later he signed a new six-year contract to commit his future to the club until 2030.

Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran are vying for the same spot / GLYN KIRK/GettyImages

That hasn't stopped Duran's name from regularly appearing in transfer gossip columns, though, continuing on from the summer when he looked likely to be joining West Ham.

Arsenal, who desperately need to provide Mikel Arteta with a new centre forward, have also been linked to Duran, while there's strong interest from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona are also alleged to have met with Duran's representatives to test the water of a potential move to Spain.

Villa have signed Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund this month, further strengthening Emery's options, but it remains to be seen whether they can be persuaded by Al Nassr to sell Duran.

The Saudi heavyweights are looking for another big name after falling 11 points behind joint leaders Al Hilal and Al Ittihad - clubs who have Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves in their playing ranks among others.