Randal Kolo Muani has been linked with Manchester United, Tottenham and Juventus this month and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly ready to offer the striker to Aston Villa as part of a deal for Jhon Duran
Aston Villa have emerged as a potential destination for Manchester United target Randal Kolo Muani.
Muani is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain this month, having made just two starts for the club so far this season. United are among a number of clubs that have been linked with a loan move for the France international in recent weeks.
Tottenham and Juventus are also said to be interested in Muani’s services. However, journalist Ben Jacobs is now reporting that PSG are ready to offer the striker to Villa as part of a swap deal for Jhon Duran.
PSG are said to be keen on Duran, who has scored 12 goals in 26 games across all competitions this season, and are open to including either Muani or Marco Asensio in the deal. However, Villa value Duran at £80million and PSG are well short of their asking price.
The 21-year-old signed a new deal back in October that ties him down until 2030 and Villa boss Unai Emery believes Duran has “huge potential”. Speaking after he scored the winning goal in Villa’s 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Emery admitted it can be a “challenge” managing the game time of Duran and fellow striker Ollie Watkins.
“He (Duran) arrived two years ago, he has huge potential, sometimes passion,” Emery said. “Sometimes I need to speak with him as a person and connect with him and as a player to let him play and put him on the field because his talent is there and his capacity to improve us. We have two very good strikers and the challenge is to manage both.”
Although Villa are said to be unwilling to sell unless they receive a ‘crazy offer’, they are attempting to sign another forward this month. According to Sky Sports News, they have made an improved bid for Borussia Dortmund star Donyell Malen.
Malen, who has scored five goals in 20 games for Dortmund this season, is reportedly valued at around £25m and Villa’s new offer is only £21m. Negotiations remain ongoing between the two clubs, with Malen viewed as a replacement for Jaden Philogene.
Philogene rejoined Villa from Hull over the summer, but he has made just two Premier League starts and is now set to join Ipswich in a £20m deal. When asked about the impending move, Emery said: “I explained it.
“I believe in Jaden Philogene, but we are, of course, always trying to get the best for the club, for the squad, for the team and the players. If he is leaving, it’s because it is good for those three options.”
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