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.
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.
Erik ten Hag’s first actions with Wout Weghorst shows he means business
Erik ten Hag is not hanging about introducing Wout Weghorst to his methods at Manchester United.
The Dutch striker was pictured in first team training on Sunday, with Manchester United already preparing for this week’s fixture against Crystal Palace.
At full-time against City, Bruno Fernandes explained to BT Sports how they would be straight back to preparing the Palace fixture the following day.
Wout Weghorst’s involvement in training, this early, suggests he will have a part to play at Selhurst Park.
Weghorst should be ready to go
The Standard had reported Manchester United intended to hand Wout Weghorst his debut against Manchester City at the weekend.
However, United were unable to get the deal done before the 12pm deadline on Friday, with a move only completed in the evening.
Weghorst was said to be ‘desperate’ to play against City, The Metro reported. Midway through the game it looked like the paperwork issue could have been costly.
Manchester United began the second half without a striker after Anthony Martial suffered another untimely injury. Erik ten Hag admitted that putting Antony up front ‘did not work’.
The extent of Martial’s injury is unclear. But what is apparent, is that Erik ten Hag is taking no chances, by getting Wout Weghorst into training right away.
The loanee is only at United for a short stint, and he will want to make every second count. Erik ten Hag is clearly gearing him up to be part of the squad.
United face Palace away on Wednesday night in an inconveniently timed re-arranged fixture, ahead of a trip to Arsenal on Sunday, who have the weekend off.
There is no time to waste, with the fixture schedule absolutely relentless. By getting Weghorst into training right away, on the same day his squad number was still being announced to the media, Ten Hag has shown he means business.
Source: unitedinfocus.com
