SAUDI SWOOP
Jhon Duran set for medical ahead of £65m Al-Nassr transfer in move that KO’s Arsenal’s Ollie Watkins bid
The 21-year-old joined Villa in January 2023
ASTON VILLA striker Jhon Duran is set for a medical with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.
The Colombian has reportedly agreed personal terms ahead of a £65million blockbuster move to the Saudi Pro League.
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Duran's Saudi switch appears to end Arsenal's hopes of bringing England striker Ollie Watkins to the Emirates.
The Gunners tabled an audacious £60m bid for the Villa forward on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Duran has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal in Saudi.
The 21-year-old - who joined Unai Emery's side from Chicago Fire in 2023 - only signed a new contract in October.
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It kept the fan-favourite at Villa Park until 2030.
Duran has netted 12 goals in 29 appearances for Villa this season, with the majority of his action from the subs bench.
He was named among the substitutes for Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Celtic.
But reports suggest Duran will head to London after the game for a medical with Al Nassr on Thursday.
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Al Nassr currently sit fourth in the Saudi Pro League.
Alongside Ronaldo, former Premier League stars Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte make up the backbone of the team.
Tottenham snubbed Ollie Watkins transfer as Jose Mourinho refused to pay price tag and signed flop striker instead
Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in 2020 for a then-club record £28million.
Following on from his Euro 2024 heroics for England, he's netted 10 goals in 23 Premier League appearances this season.
A boyhood Arsenal fan, Watkins has previously indicated it would be a "dream" to play for the Gunners.
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Arsenal player ratings: David Raya saves all three-points for Arsenal but Trossard’s woeful deliveries an issue again
ARSENAL finally won a match with ten-men after Myles Lewis-Skelly was controversially sent off.
It was the Gunners' fourth sending off this season and they had not won any of their matches without 11 players this term.
But Arsenal showed their character and battled past Wolves 1-0.
Here is how SunSport rated the players' performances.
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Very little to do until the 63rd minute when he brilliantly tipped a deflected Matheus Cunha effort wide. He then stopped Rayan Ait-Nouri in a one-on-one in the 84th minute.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 6
Was having another fine game before being the victim of one of most ludicrous red cards in Prem history. His cynical trip was worthy of a yellow and nothing more.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Arsenal just look so solid with him in this backline. A welcome return from a minor hamstring injury. Kept Cunha at bay.
GABRIEL – 7
Led from the front and put his body on the line. Constantly headed away from danger.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Hit with some nasty challenges that required treatment – including one that had Joao Gomes sent off – but carried on playing and was resolute.
DECLAN RICE – 7
More of a goal threat than in recent weeks and stood up when Arsenal needed him.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Steady Eddie for most parts back in his favoured midfield position after spells at right-back this season. Displayed his importance to this side once more.
ETHAN NWANERI – 6
Unfortunately made way at half-time as a sacrificial lamb following Lewis-Skelly’s sending off. Was a lively, creative spark in the first-half.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5
In the absence of Bukayo Saka, the Belgian is on corner-taking duty, but his deliveries were woeful. A quiet afternoon that sums up why he is in and out of the team currently.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Was lacking that clinical edge in the first half, but came up with the cross after the break that led to Arsenal’s vital opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Missed two glorious first half chances with his head and another in the second half, but worked tirelessly on his own – especially with Arsenal down to ten.
SUBS:
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (NWANERI, 45) – 8
The sort of goal that keeps title dreams alive. Added real height and danger aerially, as well as a sweet volley from a tough angle.
KIERAN TIERNEY (MARTINELLI, 87) – N/A
During his time with the Bees, Watkins said: "Yeah, that’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day.
"But, you know, it’s a long shot."
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