Breaking: Aston Villa star 'passes medical' ahead of £64m exit as Emery picks top class replacement

Colombian wonderkid Jhon Duran has completed a medical and is set to fly to Saudi Arabia to finalise his proposed £64m move from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr before the closure of the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old striker was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 victory over Celtic in the Champions League as the team Lions progressed to the knockout stages of the competition.

Duran has been one of the standout young players in the Premier League with 12 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions this term and he has treated fans to some fantastic memories in recent times including winners against Bayern Munich, Aston Villa and Leicester City.

Unai Emery’s reaction to Jhon Duran exit

The club had previously shown a strong desire to keep Duran on board after rejecting multiple bids from West Ham in both the summer and January, but were no longer able to stand in the way of Duran’s desire for a fresh challenge in the Middle East.

“If he is leaving it is because it is a good deal for us. Because we have developed a young player in two years. It is not only club, it (has to work) for club, player and team,” Unai Emery said after the Celtic game.

Emery added: “If he is leaving, of course it is because he has agreed. I told you last week, I wanted him here. After West Ham, I told you I wanted him here. But what does he want?”

Simon Jordan claims Jhon Duran is not serious about football

Jhon Duran’s move to Saudi Arabia looks set to be one of the biggest of the January transfer window and it so far divided the opinion of fans and pundits alike, with Simon Jordan referring to the Colombian as ‘not a serious player’ after leaving Europe for the Middle East.

“He’s not a serious footballer, is he? He’s 21 years of age at the beginning of his career with all the world in front of him. Playing in the best league for a big football club, and he wants to go and play Saudi. He’s not a serious footballer,” Jordan told TalkSport

“Jhon Duran is a young 21-year-old Colombian international footballer with a real talent. This is not a football move. It’s a money move. Just call it for what it is.”

The move will, however, offer Duran the chance to play alongside an all-time great in five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international has scored 78 times in 87 appearances since making the move to the Middle East but is still yet to secure a Saudi Pro League title. The Riyadh outfit, who are managed by ex-AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli ar fourth in the table and eight points behind league leaders Al-Hilal, who recently cut ties with Neymar, and who are now pursuing a summer move for Mohamed Salah.

Aston Villa eye Jhon Duran replacements

Jhon Duran’s imminent departure leaves Aston Villa with only one striker option with the ever-reliable Ollie Watkins leading the line despite huge interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Villa, with the intense workload of games in the league, Europe and FA Cup, will be keen to rectify this issue in the final days of the window and have reportedly entered the race to sign out-of-favour Chelsea ace Joao Felix, according to Football Insider.

The Portuguese international is capable of playing as a central attacking midfielder behind Watkins but is also proven as a centre forward from previous spells at Benfica, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Elsewhere, Brimingham World also understands that wantaway Bayern Munich youngster Mathys Tels is in talks over a potential loan move to Villa before the window slams shut. However, the Villans face competition from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal for the French youngster’s signature.