Real Madrid are reportedly the latest team to show an interest in signing Aston Villa attacker Jhon Duran.
The Colombia international was said to have been the subject of a recent £57m offer from Villa's Premier League rivals West Ham United, which was quickly rejected by Unai Emery's side.
Villa are expected to do their utmost to keep hold of Duran this month, as the 21-year-old has excelled with 12 goals from 29 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign.
Duran has been heralded for his feats off the bench in particular, but Emery remains loath to play him from the first whistle, as 22 of his 29 appearances this season have come as a substitute.
The youngster was restricted to another late cameo in Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham United, but nevertheless, he agreed to a long-term contract extension with the Lions until 2030 in October.
Real Madrid to take 'concrete action' to sign Duran?
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However, while Duran continues to struggle for starts over Ollie Watkins in the Premier League and Champions League, the South American's future will be repeatedly called into question.
Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs to have been linked with Duran, who is also said to have attracted interest from the financial powerhouses of the Saudi Pro League.
Now, Foot Mercato claims that Real Madrid are also hot on the trail of the striker, and there is a chance that Los Blancos could take 'concrete action' to sign him either this month or in 2025.
Carlo Ancelotti's side can expect to be quoted a mammoth €100m (£84.2m) from their English counterparts, though, as they view him as one of the most 'promising' centre-forwards in Europe.
Duran is also said to be favouring a move to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, but Real Madrid are not giving up the ghost and could make an enticing proposal for the Colombia international.
Could Real Madrid have ace up their sleeve in Duran chase?
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If Kylian Mbappe's recent hat-trick against Real Valladolid is anything to go by, the Frenchman has well and truly settled in the Spanish capital, where Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior represent other world-class attacking options.
However, 18-year-old prodigy Endrick is still waiting for a serious breakthrough, having not made a single La Liga start yet this season while also playing just 96 minutes in the Champions League.
Endrick is unlikely to force his way into Ancelotti's lineup without an injury or two, and the report adds that Real Madrid could therefore loan him out for the second half of the season, thus opening up a space in the squad for Duran.
That still might not be enough to win over the Colombian, though, as he would also surely play second fiddle to Mbappe and would then face added competition from Endrick once he returns to the Bernabeu.
Duran boasts 20 goals in 78 appearances for Villa, who paid £14m to sign him from MLS outfit Chicago Fire two years ago.
Ben Knapton
