Barcelona make 21-year-old Premier League star key target as Hansi Flick looks to bolster squad: Reports

Barcelona have reportedly identified Aston Villa star Jhon Duran, who is currently relishing an excellent breakout campaign, as a January transfer target.

Duran, 21, has emerged as one of the most promising number nines in Europe since the start of the ongoing 2024-25 season. He has proven to be a match-winner for his side on a host of occasions, including in the UEFA Champions League.

Hence, according to Spanish news website SPORT, Barcelona's top brass have made Duran a key target with the aim of helping new manager Hansi Flick. The Blaugrana's representatives met with Duran's agent to express an interest in the forward, who is excited to join the La Liga giants, a few weeks earlier.

Should Duran secure a permanent move to the Catalan outfit in the future, he could prove to be a shrewd signing for them. He would initially act as backup to Robert Lewandowski before potentially emerging as the club's first-choice striker.

However, Barcelona are likely to face a difficult time negotiating the potential transfer fee for Duran's signing. The Colombian striker's recent rise to fame has made Aston Villa slap a price tag of £60 million on the Envigado academy product.

So far this season, Duran has scored 12 goals in 26 overall appearances for Unai Emery's side. He is scoring a goal every 81 minutes for his club this term.

David Villa lavishes praise on Barcelona star

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, former Barcelona striker David Villa claimed that Lamine Yamal will achieve a lot of success in the future. He said (h/t Barca Universal):

"He's an incredible kid. How he plays, how he understands football... it's true that I don't know him personally, but I've been with him a couple of times and he looks very calm and focused. This is not the explosion of a footballer who is going to last a few months."

Villa, who represented the Blaugrana between 2010 and 2013, added:

"He's been there for a while now where, you could say, he could have made a mistake and the opposite is true. He is very good and every time you see him play, he plays better. He also knows what it means to be a champion."

Yamal, 17, relished a sensational year for his club and country in 2024. He established himself as a starter for Hansi Flick's team last season and helped Spain lift the UEFA Euro 2024 trophy, registering five goals and assists in the tournament.

Since his senior debut for Barcelona in April 2023, Yamal has scored 13 goals and contributed 21 assists in 72 games in all competitions for his boyhood club.