Arsenal have been handed a difficult task in their bid to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, as he revealed he is “very happy” to play under Unai Emery at his current club.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of top strikers in recent times. It has been suggested that they believe a world-class striker will stop them winning the Premier League.

On the list is Villa man Duran, who adds plenty of value to his team despite barely making his debut at Villa Park.

The striker admitted problems at the club – which were well reported this summer amid his exit pushes – but explained how happy he is now to be playing under Emery.

“There are (moments of) love and hate, sometimes! But no, I am very grateful to him, very grateful to him and his technical staff. We had a lot of problems, but they are normal, I think. Duran said Aerial sports.

“The truth is that I am very happy to be here with him, to share space with him, to learn from his teachings. He wants to teach me all the time. He’s protective sometimes.

“Sometimes it happens, and there are sparks!” So we are constantly fighting! But I think it’s normal for a young man of my age, and for someone like him who already knows a lot of things, who has already achieved so much.

“And the truth is that I feel very, very grateful to be in this space and that he is such a great person in football. To learn more from him every day, and I am very happy with him here .

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Arsenal must take on Duran

Having already been linked with Duran in recent times, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has told the club to pursue him.

Describing his talents, The former Gunner said: “He’s the right player for Arsenal.»

His price tag is said to be £75m, and with Duran happy at Villa it looks like it will be difficult for Arsenal to get him.

Unless the “fighting” as he describes it reaches a level where Emery doesn’t want him around, but if that didn’t happen this summer, Duran now appears to be maturing and achieving enormous performance. on the ground, this seems unlikely.

Arsenal: big names escape their grasp

Arsenal have also been linked with top striker Viktor Gyokeres in recent times. But it has been reported that Barcelona ready to offer Vitor Roque as part of an agreement to sign it.

Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande is also on Arsenal’s radar, but new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is now believed to want to take him to Old Trafford.

Arsenal could also lose goalkeeper Karl Hein to their rivals, with the soon-to-be-out-of-contract goalkeeper on Tottenham’s radar in a shock move.

Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard could be replaced by Mohammed Kudus, with the West Ham man on the radar amid reports his own winger is being tested by the Saudi Pro League.

Duran in hot form

Prior to Aston Villa’s match against Tottenham on Sunday, Duran had scored eight goals this season, despite only starting in three games.

His time to start more consistently will surely come given his ability to score in any situation he enters.

Duran’s stats so far this season