Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán is quickly rising as one of the Premier League’s most exciting and unpredictable talents, with manager Unai Emery confidently predicting the young Colombian could one day become a £100 million star.
According to a report by *The Telegraph*, Durán has established himself as a game-changer, scoring eight Premier League goals as a substitute, including a stunning 30-yard winner against Everton earlier this month.
This past summer, over 30 European clubs—including Chelsea, West Ham, AC Milan, and Sporting—expressed strong interest in the 19-year-old forward. However, Emery was determined to keep him at Villa. Durán’s rise from Medellin, Colombia, to England’s top-flight has been nothing short of remarkable.
Discovered by Chicago Fire’s technical director, Sebastian Pelzer, in 2020, Durán’s imposing physicality and lightning pace quickly earned him a move to Major League Soccer for $2 million. During his time in Chicago, he contributed 11 goals in just 1,363 minutes, which attracted the attention of Aston Villa, who secured his signature for £14 million in January 2023, beating out stiff competition from Europe’s elite.
Villa’s sporting director Johan Lange and head of recruitment Rob Mackenzie were instrumental in bringing Durán to Birmingham. The report noted that they prepared a special seven-minute video showcasing Durán’s best moments from his time in Colombia and Chicago, which moved both his father and agent, Regino, during the negotiation process. The deal was swiftly closed.
Though Durán had to bide his time at Villa, occasionally drawing criticism for his youthful inexperience, his raw potential was always clear to Emery, who saw him as a long-term asset. Durán, signed primarily as a backup to Ollie Watkins, has demonstrated flashes of brilliance and has already netted five goals in all competitions this season.
Pelzer, reflecting on Durán’s exceptional talent, said, “He possesses qualities that few players have.” Despite the initial frustrations over limited playing time, Durán’s natural goal-scoring ability is now shining through, with Pelzer adding, “If he stays grounded, his talent and instinct for goals are simply unbelievable.”
As Durán continues to develop, his journey toward becoming one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards is only just beginning.