CHICAGO, IL–The Athletic reports that English Premier League side Aston Villa has reached an agreement with Chicago Fire FC to sign forward Jhon Duran, 19, for a transfer fee of US$22 million. The Fire are set to receive $18 million up front and then an additional $4M potential performance-related incentives. The transfer is subject to Duran completing a medical and agreeing personal terms, as well as being accepted for a visa.
Duran came to the Fire in 2020 on a $2 million fee from Colombian side Envigado, but could not join the squad officially until 2021 after he turned 18. Once on the squad, he would become the club’s leading scorer with eight goals and added five assists. That would lead to three senior caps with the Colombian national team. With that performance, Duran was almost immediately pegged for a potential transfer to Europe, and it’s apparent that that time has come.
Duran was not included in the Fire’s 25-man squad for their pre-season training camp, which was released on Sunday. Now, the need for a striker via, likely through the Designated Player route (where they have one opening), takes on more urgency. Goals were at a premium for the Fire scoring just 39 last season which was second fewest in the league.
