The possibility of a late deal may have just arisen for Everton.
A Spor in Turkey believe Everton have been alerted by the prospect of signing Jhon Duran before the transfer deadline on Monday, a player who tore Premier League defences apart with Aston Villa before sealing a £64m move to Al-Nassr in January 2025.
Still just 22 years of age, the Colombian could lead the line at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for many years if a deal materialises – and also represent the modern day version of Romelu Lukaku for David Moyes based on what his former coach Wilberth Perea told Sky Sports.
Everton want Jhon Duran… would he be an upgrade on Thierno Barry? 👀
Jhon Duran has modelled himself on Romelu Lukaku and could now take his skills to Everton
Back in January 2024, the man who coached the South American at U15 level spoke to Sky Sports about how he and Duran used Lukaku – an Everton cult hero – as inspiration.
Perea said: “Part of the work we did, with the approval of the president and the sporting director, was conceptual, the analysis of videos, and watching players with similar characteristics, then taking certain details from them and putting them into practice.
“We looked at Romelu Lukaku, because he is another physically strong striker with similar characteristics to Jhon. We also took a lot from Luis Suarez, how he found space in the area, his movement with and without the ball, and Karim Benzema.”
Duran netted 20 goals in 78 games before leaving Aston Villa – including some remarkable strikes which Lukaku himself would have been proud of – and most of those outings came off the bench as Ollie Watkins was largely preferred by Unai Emery.
So, if Everton can bring the Colombia international back to England, it would be a real coup.
Everton allegedly asked about the actual Romelu Lukaku before Jhon Duran rumours emerged
A story from Il Matino in Italy recently claimed that Everton surprisingly asked Napoli about Lukaku himself as the Toffees search for someone to push Beto and Thierno Barry further.
However, the enquiry failed to progress into anything concrete.
If you could bring back Richarlison or Lukaku, who would you go for? 👀
The Belgian – who netted 87 goals in 166 games for Everton – has hardly featured for Napoli so far this season after only recently returning from a serious hamstring injury, and he turns 33 in May as well.
Therefore, a deal for Duran – who represents the future – would arguably be a better move for Everton regardless.
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