Barcelona have made contact with Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran over a potential move to the Spanish side.
Duran has hit the headlines during the opening weeks of the Premier League season after scoring four goals in just five appearances for Aston Villa.
The Colombian’s return includes three match-winners and has come entirely as a substitute, with Duran averaging a goal every 32.75 minutes in the Premier League this season.
His explosive start to the campaign has added to his growing list of admirers and Spanish outlet El Nacional are reporting Barcelona have contacted the player’s representatives.
Barcelona are assessing long-term options at number nine with Robert Lewandowski having celebrated his 36th birthday last month.
Villa say ‘everyone wants’ to sign Duran
Duran was keen to leave Aston Villa in the summer amid transfer interest from Chelsea and West Ham United, though no move materialised before the deadline. He is keen to secure a regular role but has struggled for starts amid the presence of Ollie Watkins at Villa Park.
Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, has said the club have faith that the 20-year-old can become one of the world’s best.
“If there is a club which really thinks he can be one of the top strikers in the world, if there is one club and one manager, it is Aston Villa and Unai Emery,” Vidagany explained.
“There are no fewer than 40 clubs who want Duran – everyone wants Duran. Jhon Duran is a boy of 20 who knows what we know, he has a huge potential. He can be one of the best strikers in the world, period.”
