Manchester United miss out on Jhon Duran as striker signs with Aston Villa

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Manchester United have missed out on a move for Colombia international striker Jhon Duran.

The Sun reported in October that Manchester United were interested in the 19-year-old striker.

Duran played for MLS side Chicago Fire, scoring eight goals and five assists last season.

But this is no longer a move available to Manchester United, after he signed with another Premier League club.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Jhon Duran signs for Aston Villa

Aston Villa have moved under the radar to clinch a deal for Jhon Duran, with the club announcing the transfer on their website.

A statement read: “Aston Villa can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Chicago Fire for the permanent transfer of 19-year-old striker, Jhon Durán.”

ESPN report the fee is £14 million. The previous report linking United had speculated he could be sold for £10 million.

United instead moved to sign Wout Weghorst on loan. This is better suited to what Erik ten Hag needs right now rather than a developmental option.

Could United regret missing out?

Long term, Manchester United might regret not making the move for Duran, who is very highly rated and will now get to work under Unai Emery.

United have missed out on cheap South American talents in successive January windows, Moises Caicedo and Julian Alvarez, who would cost a lot more.

Time will tell if United end up regretting missing out on Duran too. But right now, with no fund to spend in the January transfer window on permanent deals, there was no case to be made for taking a gamble on a project talent.

This will be the type of deal United can revisit in the summer, when a takeover has hopefully gone through.