Al Nassr is certain of a deal for more than £64 million to acquire a striker from Aston Villa.

Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia thinks they have reached an agreement to pay more than £64 million to sign Jhon Duran, a striker for Aston Villa. The Saudi Pro League team anticipates paying €77 million (£64.4 million) plus bonuses for the 21-year-old.

According to sources, Duran will travel to London on Thursday for a medical examination.

Additionally, it has been revealed that Villa has turned down Arsenal's offer for striker Ollie Watkins.

The Colombian international did not play in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Celtic, which Villa won 4–2.

"The club is working, we have to be competitive, of course we are developing players and increasing our objective, increasing our target, playing Champions League," Emery stated of Duran at his news conference following the game.

"Of course, we are seen as a formidable team by powerful nations like Saudi Arabia. Additionally, I am happy of it since [the players] are getting better. Other clubs are interested in our players, and they are paying us well.

However, our goal is to maintain our structure on the athletic side because we want to maintain our current level, which is difficult to maintain over an extended period of time.

"[In response to the query], I'm not sure till everything is finished.

"If he's departing, it's because we're getting a fantastic deal. because in just two years, we have produced a young talent. It [must work for] the club, the player, and the team; it is not just the club.

"I don't know if he is going to leave."

"With Jhon Duran, you know more or less everything we are speaking here," the Spaniard continued. He has great potential and is an amazing young talent. I tried to assist him in his development because we were so close.

However, the player has a goal, and perhaps they are passionate about it. If they're departing, it's because they're pursuing a different career path.

Emery responded, "If he is leaving, of course it is because he has agreed," when asked if Duran had requested to leave the club.

"Last week, I told you that I wanted him here. I told you I wanted him here after West Ham. What does he want, though?

Duran's £57 million bid from West Ham was rejected earlier this month.

In 20 games this season, the 21-year-old has seven Premier League goals to his credit.

Although he joined Villa Park from the Chicago Fire in January 2023, he has only made seven of his 55 league games as a starter.

Duran is chosen by Al Nassr over Boniface.

The team that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for, Al Nassr, reportedly sought to sign either Duran or Victor Boniface, a striker for Bayer Leverkusen, according to a Wednesday morning report from Livesports News.

The Saudi Arabian team conducted discussions about both strikers but would only sign one. It seems they have decided on Duran even though they also agreed to pay £46 million (€55 million) for Boniface after he had a physical.

Boniface's transfer to Al Nassr is off, according to a Wednesday night report from Sky in Germany.

The 24-year-old was not included in Leverkusen's squad for their 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Simon Rolfes, sporting director of Leverkusen, stated that Bonifca's departure is now improbable.

"Boniface will train with the team once more tomorrow," Rolfes stated. He continues to play for Bayer 04 today.

"He has not been sold as a result of the circumstances. Naturally, economic factors always come into play when dealing with specific amounts of money.

As things stand, he's probably going to stay. That makes us pleased.

Arsenal's bid for Watkins is rejected by Villa.

Al Nassr's attempt for Duran coincides with Villa turning down Arsenal's offer for Ollie Watkins, the striker that head coach Unai Emery has favoured.

It is anticipated that Arsenal will return with a better bid for the England international.

Given Villa's stance that Watkins is not for sale, a deal is unlikely to be reached during this window.

With 10 goals this season, including Villa's equaliser at Arsenal earlier this month, Watkins, who is known to be an Arsenal supporter, is currently the ninth-leading goalscorer in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old scored the game-winning goal in England's triumph over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final last season, one of five goals in 18 outings for the country.