Arsenal have had a £45million transfer bid for Jhon Duran turned down by Aston Villa, according to reports. Mikel Arteta may be looking to add more firepower to their frontline after a goal-shy start to the Premier League season and the Gunners boss is reportedly targeting one of the division’s most lethal strikers.

Colombian radio station Antena 2 claim Arsenal submitted an offer worth £45.2m (€55m) to their Premier League counterparts. But that appears to have been swiftly rebuffed by the Midlands club, with the north London outfit apparently told to increase their offer.

The report claims Villa have attempted to ward off potential suitors by demanding a fee in excess of £70.7m (€85m), which would represent a club-record sale.

The Colombia international has hit eight goals in all competitions this season despite starting only three matches. All four of his goals in the top flight have come from the bench, having made 10 substitute appearances.

The 20-year-old’s performances have not gone unnoticed by Europe’s biggest clubs, especially after his winning goal in the 1-0 shock victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Duran was strongly linked with moves to Chelsea and West Ham in the summer transfer window and looked poised to leave. However, he performed a U-turn and signed a new contract until 2029 after talks with Unai Emery.

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