Aston Villa reach transfer agreement for Chicago Fire wonderkid ...

16 Jan 2023

MLSsoccer.com

Aston Villa have reached a transfer agreement for Colombia international forward Jhon Durán from Chicago Fire FC, the English Premier League club announced Monday.

The deal is still subject to agreeing on personal terms with Durán, as well as a medical and work visa.

A source tells MLSsoccer.com the deal is worth up to $22 million ($18 million up front, plus another $4 million in add-ons). The Fire will retain a sell-on percentage as well. The deal could be the second-biggest outbound transfer in MLS history.

Durán, who just turned 19 in December, tallied eight goals and three assists over 1,363 minutes (27 appearances; 14 starts) during his lone MLS season for the Fire. The center forward already has three appearances for the senior Colombian national team and is currently with their U-20 side at the South American U-20 Championship this month.

The Fire initially acquired Durán from Colombian club Envigado FC for up to $2.5 million in 2021, a deal that wouldn't go through until the winter of 2022 after Durán turned 18. The forward had nine goals and four assists for Envigado. He was named to The Guardian's Next Generation 2020 list, highlighting the best talents around the globe in his age group.

WATCH: Jhon Duran shows why he’s earned a Colombia call-up

Top 5: Most expensive outgoing transfers in MLS history

Player

Fee

Clubs

Date

1. Miguel Almirón

$26 million

Atlanta United to Newcastle United (EPL)

Jan. 31, 2019

T-2. Alphonso Davies

$22 million

Vancouver Whitecaps to Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)

July 25, 2018

T-2. Jhon Durán

$22 million (up to)

Chicago Fire to Aston Villa (EPL)

Jan. 16, 2023

4. Ricardo Pepi

$20 million

FC Dallas to FC Augsburg (Bundesliga)

Jan. 3, 2022

5. Pity Martinez

$18 million

Atlanta United to Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)

Sept. 7, 2020

What's next?

The Fire remain active in the transfer market, aiming to add a Designated Player center forward as well as another U22 Initiative signing to replace Durán. Their lead remaining No. 9 option is Kacper Przybyłko, who was acquired last winter in a trade with the Philadelphia Union but struggled to replicate his goalscorer's touch.

Chicago's current DPs are Mexican winger Jairo Torres and Swiss international attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who last month joined legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as players to score in each of the last three FIFA Men’s World Cups. They also have budding homegrown star Brian Gutiérrez and Chicago native Chris Mueller as key attackers.

Chicago are entering their second season under head coach Ezra Hendrickson, eyeing their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs trip since 2017. They’ll start their new season on Matchday 2 when hosting New York City FC (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).

Aston Villa are currently 11th in the Premier League table, reinvigorated by manager Unai Emery. Their main out-and-out strikers are Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

WATCH: Chicago Fire forward Jhon Durán hits Toronto FC for two