Jhon Duran has been told to focus on football and put any transfer talk on hold.
Villa's Colombian striker, who was the subject of an official bid from West Ham this week, is now the center of attention from the Middle East. Saudi professional club Al-Nassr are reportedly preparing a bid for the exciting 21-year-old.
An extraordinary fee will be required to guarantee the striker's release, with Villa having already ruled out a move for him during this transfer window. However, interest from Eastenders has added spice to this match, although the Birmingham club are not interested in discussing the subject.
But money talks and when quizzed about Duran's future, Villa boss Unai Emery told all his players to focus on the Hammers. Asked about the effect speculation had, Emery said: “It doesn't just apply to Jhon Duran, but to other players as well.
“I concentrate a lot on how we think and plan each match and each player concentrates on that. There may be rumors about other teams leaving here or coming here. Every team is in the same situation.”
“My focus and with the players we have is on the game against West Ham and being professional, mature, responsible and serious. And then maybe in a few days some players can also leave for other teams.”
“But the group we have here now has to be professional, responsible and play, concentrating on every game. We won't know exactly how many players we can change in this squad until the last day of the transfer window, but on Sunday … we are here with the players we have and are 100% focused on the match.”
Emery was angry with the reaction of Duran and fellow striker Ollie Watkins during the 1-0 defeat in Monaco on Tuesday evening. He said he had to find a solution and admitted he had tried to find one, insisting they COULD play together.
He said: “We have been working with both strikers for two years. We've done this – sometimes in practice, sometimes by playing games, sometimes via video. We are still in that process. We lost a month because Jhon was out for three games and was sick.
“Tuesday was the first match in which both were played. It didn't work out the way I wanted, but I still have the same ideas. We're trying to identify why. And try to get information about it.
“The first opinion I had about it. I didn't like how we played in Monaco. But the solution does not lie with one or two players. It's with the 25 we have.
“We have to find our best structure tactically and mentally. Sometimes we can play with two left backs, with Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen. Or two right backs with Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash.
“Everywhere on the field we try to mix up the players. Even the players with the same qualities, we will do it. We can play with two strikers like Watkins and Duran.”
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