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Aston Villa rebuff Arsenal interest in striker Jhon Duran, Chelsea name price for Christopher Nkunku - Paper Round
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Published 14/01/2025 at 23:05 GMT
Aston Villa hope to keep Jhon Duran despite interest from Arsenal, while Chelsea have named their price for forward Christopher Nkunku as Bayern Munich circle. Elsewhere, Arsenal appear to have agreed a deal for long-time target, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and Eintracht Frankfurt hope to sign Arsenal’s teenage defender Ayden Heaven.
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Villa want to keep Arsenal target Duran
Jhon Duran has regularly been linked with a move away from Aston Villa in January.
The Arsenal target, though, looks set to stay, because the club do not want to sell this winter.
The Mirror writes: "Arsenal have been issued with a hands-off warning by Aston Villa, who have no intention of selling Jhon Duran in the January transfer window.
"The Gunners are desperate to sign a forward this month to bolster their misfiring attack, which has been further weakened by the serious knee injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian is expected to be sidelined for a long time with a suspected anterior cruciate ligament problem, forcing Arsenal into the market for a replacement.
"Arsenal are keen on Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but, as Mirror Football have reported, signing either is not straightforward. Williams has a £50 million release clause at Athletic Bilbao and wants £300,000-a-week to leave, while Sesko might be difficult to lure mid-season.
"Duran is another striker Arsenal have previously been interested in, with reports emerging in November that they had a £46m offer rejected by Villa. The 21-year-old forward subsequently signed a new deal, keeping him at Villa Park until 2030, but the transfer links have not gone away."
Nkunku valuation set
Chelsea want about £65 million for forward Christopher Nkunku, as Bayern Munich circle.
Potentially going in the other direction, there are also talks between the two sides regarding 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel.
The Athletic explains: "Chelsea will demand a fee of around £65 million for Christopher Nkunku, with Bayern Munich interested in signing the forward.
"The Athletic reported on Monday that Bayern have begun talks with Chelsea, who themselves have made an enquiry for 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel. They are being discussed as potential separate deals.
"Chelsea are prepared to sell the France international in this transfer window but are determined not to let him go on the cheap. They want the sum in full rather than part of any package including add-ons.
"The club paid RB Leipzig in excess of €60 million (£50m) when they completed the signing of Nkunku in 2023 (a pre-contract was agreed in October 2022) and he still has over four years left on his contract."
Arsenal to sign Zubimendi
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi finally seems poised to leave the Basque club.
Close to a move to Liverpool last summer, it has been reported that he will instead join Arsenal at the end of the season.
The Daily Mail states: "Arsenal will land long-term target Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season, Mail Sport can reveal.
"The Real Sociedad star has been courted by Mikel Arteta for over 12 months and talks over a summer move are now at an advanced stage with sources indicating the deal is virtually completed.
"Despite Arsenal’s current need for forward incomings owing to long term injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the Emirates club have focused their attentions on getting a deal in place for Zubimendi.
"Arsenal would like the midfielder to join immediately but Sociedad have insisted Zubimendi stays until the end of the season."
Eintracht Frankfurt want Heaven
Arsenal centre-back Ayden Heaven is yet to sign professional terms with the club, and Eintracht Frankfurt could make a move for the player.
The 18-year-old would command some compensation if he joined another club.
The Evening Standard claims: "Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven is attracting interest from Eintracht Frankfurt.
"Heaven is yet to sign a professional contract with Arsenal and his scholarship terms expire this summer.
"The Gunners are keen to keep hold of the 18-year-old, who came through the academy with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
"Heaven made his debut for Arsenal earlier this season against Preston in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
"Eintracht Frankfurt have now expressed an interest in the centre-back, who they could sign in the summer when his scholarship terms with Arsenal expire."
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