Aston Villa now ready to sell £40m 'top footballer' as he's not 'on the same page' as Emery - journalist

Aston Villa have been incredibly busy on the transfer front in the past few weeks and it looks as though they’ve still got a lot on their agenda.

Six players have joined the Villa ranks, with Ian Maatsen, Cameron Archer, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley all arriving in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Belgium international Amadou Onana is said to be closing in on a move to Villa Park from Premier League rivals Everton.

Villa have also been busy in terms of outgoings, having sold four players and allowing two others to leave on a free transfer.

Now, Ben Jacobs has spoken about another player the Villans could look to sell, one who may not be “on the same page” as manager Unai Emery.

READ MORE: Club wants to sign ‘phenomenal’ Aston Villa player by Thursday as medical booked

Aston Villa ready to let Jhon Duran go despite thinking he’s a ‘top footballer’

The player in question is Jhon Duran, who has been linked with the likes of West Ham, Chelsea and AC Milan in recent weeks.

Jacobs, speaking to GiveMeSport, has also stressed that Villa won’t budge from their asking price, said to be £40million.

“Villa have been very firm on their asking price, and that might be because they wanted to invest some of the Duran money into a player in a different position – for example, Amadou Onana,” said Jacobs.

“But one thing is clear that as much as Villa thinking Duran is a top footballer, they are prepared to let him go, because they don’t necessarily think that he is on the same page as Unai Emery with his pathway at the football club.

“He’s looking for more imminent and instant game time, and Unai Emery wants a slightly slower pathway progression, so the player is keen on going elsewhere.”

Villa face tough decision over Duran

Duran is a ‘special‘ talent – in Emery’s words – who sadly isn’t getting much of a chance at Villa at present.

As just 20 years of age, he’s got his whole career ahead of him, and it would be a shame to see him leave Villa Park.

However, if there are disagreements between manager and player regarding the latter’s pathway, then it wouldn’t be fair to keep him at Villa where he won’t be happy.

At the same time, if Duran goes on to become a star elsewhere, there will always be that feeling among fans that maybe they should’ve kept him and given him more chances.