Aston Villa reach $22m agreement to sign Jhon Duran from MLS ...

16 Jan 2023

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 31: Jhon Duran #26 of Chicago Fire FC brings the ball forward during a game between Chicago Fire FC and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images).

Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire.

Per sources with knowledge of the deal, the Fire will receive an initial $18million (£14.8m) for the 19-year-old forward with $4million (£3.3m) more in potential performance-related incentives.

The move is subject to Duran completing a medical and agreeing personal terms, as well as being accepted for a visa.

Duran made 22 appearances for the Fire in MLS last season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.

His impressive campaign also saw him called up to the senior Colombia squad for the first time, where he has since won three caps.

The Fire bought Duran as a 17-year-old for around $2million from Colombian side Envigado. He spent one more season in Colombia until he turned 18, then joined the Fire for ahead of the 2022 MLS campaign.

Duran had played 49 times for Envigado before his move, scoring 10 goals.

He was not included in the Fire’s 25-man squad for their pre-season training camp, which was released on Sunday.

If his move goes through, Duran will become Villa’s second January arrival, after Alex Moreno signed from Real Betis last week.

Villa, meanwhile, have already let one young forward depart from their squad this window, with Cameron Archer joining Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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