To say things are going well for Aston Villa this season would be a massive understatement.
Following a dire start to the campaign, Unai Emery’s side have been incredible and, as things stand, are just four points off the top of the Premier League and second in the Europa League.
Moreover, despite suffering a raft of injuries in recent weeks, the Villans continue to play some of the best football in the league,
As if that wasn’t enough for fans, Villa are also clearly intent on making the most of the transfer window and have now been linked with someone who could be their new Jhon Durán.
Aston Villa target their new Durán
Villa have been one of the busier clubs this month, with Donyell Malen departing and a few youngsters coming in.
Moreover, the West Midlanders have sealed a deal for Tammy Abraham, and are also poised to bring back former midfield general Douglas Luiz on a short-term deal. They are also interested in acquiring Crystal Palace striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It looks like the club aren’t quite done there either, as it now looks like they are targeting an exciting attacker who could end up being Emery’s new Durán.
At least that is according to a recent report from Sky Sports, which claims Aston Villa are interested in Jørgen Strand Larsen.
However, the Villans are not the only side keen on the Norwegian striker, as Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are also named as interested parties.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be a cheap deal to get done, with the report stating that Wolverhampton Wanderers value their star man at £40m.
With all that said, while it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, it’s one Villa should fight for, as Strand Larsen is a talented striker and could end up being their new Durán.
Why Strand Larsen would be Villa’s new Durán
Now, there are, of course, differences between Durán and Strand Larsen; there are between all players.
However, there are also a few key similarites between them as players and their moves, should this one happen.
Starting with that latter, as the Colombian did in 2023, the Norwegian would move to Villa Park in the middle of the season as a back-up option.
However, something he immediately has over the former Villa player is that he would be doing so from a Premier League side rather than an MLS one.
In other words, he already has experience of playing in the toughest league in the world, and while he isn’t having the best of campaigns, he has proven he can thrive in it.
This is the second similarity, which is that, like Emery’s former forward, the 25-year-old is someone who can and has been a genuine attacking threat in England.
In fact, despite playing for a far worse side, the former Celta Vigo gem actually has a better goal involvement-to-game ratio in the Premier League than the Medellín-born star.
For example, in his 56 appearances in the competition, the “phenomenal” forward, as dubbed by ex-Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, has scored 15 goals and provided five assists.
|
Strand Larsen vs Durán in the PL |
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|---|---|---|
|
Players |
||
|
Appearances |
56 |
55 |
|
Goals |
15 |
12 |
|
Assists |
5 |
1 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.35 |
0.23 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
||
In other words, he has averaged a goal involvement every 2.8 games for the Old Gols in the top-flight.
For comparison’s sake, the Fenerbahçe ace scored just 12 goals and provided one assist in his 55 Premier League games, which comes out to a goal involvement every 4.23 games.
Finally, while they don’t have exactly the same characteristics, it would be fair to describe both strikers as somewhat wiry.
Ultimately, it might be a lot of money, but Strand Larsen is a talented footballer, and if Villa have the chance to sign him, they should take it, as he could be their next Durán.
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