Xavi successfully blocked Barcelona’s rising star from joining PSG despite the French club’s interest. Meanwhile, Arsenal has been urged to target Aston Villa’s €35M-rated forward, Jhon Durán, who was also on PSG’s radar this summer. With his impressive potential and recent contract extension, Durán is now a sought-after talent, and clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona are closely monitoring him as the 2025 transfer windows approach.
Xavi Blocks Barcelona Star’s Move to PSG
In a recent report by Xavier Bosch in Mundo Deportivo, it was revealed that former Barcelona manager Xavi played a key role in preventing young forward Lamine Yamal from joining Paris Saint-Germain.
Yamal’s connection to PSG first gained attention earlier this year when Joan Laporta revealed he had turned down a remarkable €250 million bid for the talented forward.
Despite PSG later denying they made a €250 million offer, attention remains on Yamal, who is now committed to Barcelona until 2026 with an impressive €1 billion release clause.
PSG’s Interest and Xavi’s Involvement
Surprisingly, PSG’s interest in Yamal started before his recent success. At just 15, the club had already taken notice of the talented young player.
At that point, his agent, Ivan de la Pena, received an offer from the French club, sparking concern within Barcelona. There was a real worry that this La Masia talent could leave the club for free when he turned 16.
Aware of the potential loss, Xavi stepped in personally. He contacted Yamal and assured him that if staying at Barcelona was his dream, he would guarantee a first-team debut as soon as the chance presented itself.
In exchange, Yamal was asked to commit to renewing his contract with Barcelona. True to his word, on April 29, 2023, at just 15 years and 9 months old, Yamal made his debut at the legendary Camp Nou in a match against Real Betis.
Soon after, renowned agent Jorge Mendes intervened and convinced Yamal’s parents to let him represent the young talent, marking a significant milestone in Yamal’s rising career.
Arsenal Told to Snap Up €35M Aston Villa Star After PSG Link
This summer, Paris Saint-Germain explored several No. 9 options to boost their goal-scoring for the 2024-25 season, with Aston Villa’s rising star Jhon Durán among those they considered.
Earlier this month, Eduardo Burgos of Diario AS reported that both Bayern Munich and PSG made offers for Durán last summer, but Aston Villa rejected them. Manager Unai Emery believes the young forward has the potential to become a superstar.
PSG and Bayern aren’t the only clubs eyeing Durán. According to Fichajes, Arsenal, and Barcelona are also monitoring him as the 2025 transfer windows draw near. The report adds that Barcelona tried to sign him before he renewed his contract, making them a strong contender for his signature.
In light of the increasing interest in the young goal scorer, Aston Villa extended Durán’s contract until 2030. However, a former player is advising Arsenal to go after PSG’s summer target to bolster their attack.
Arsenal Legend Calls on Club to Target Jhon Durán
Patrick Vieira has recommended that the club have a “natural” striker, similar to Erling Haaland at Manchester City, which makes “winning games easier.” He believes Durán would be the “ideal player” for them.
“The question is whether Arsenal can reach their goals with a genuine goalscorer or a false number nine,” Vieira said (h/t TEAMTalk). “Havertz has performed well since the season’s start and has the potential to fill that role.
“But, as Manchester City has shown, having a pure striker like Haaland makes winning games easier. I loved [Durán’s] performance against Bayern Munich. He’s the right player for Arsenal—quick, unselfish, solid in the air, technically skilled, and intelligent in his movement.”
What could the Colombian striker cost interested clubs? The forward is valued at €35 million, but if he continues to score and with his new contract, his price could soar into the triple digits.
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