Everton fans got rather excited when Jhon Duran was linked with a late move to the club.
In the end, Everton didn’t do all that much in the January transfer window, signing one player in the form of Tyrique George as a replacement for the injured Jack Grealish.
A new striker had been on the cards and the club were looking around.
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The likes of Callum Wilson and Youssef En-Nesyri were continually linked.
But then Thierno Barry went on a scoring run and the links appeared to die down. Indeed, it was eventually reported that Everton’s striker search took a back seat given Barry’s form.
Jhon Duran was another player Everton reportedly looked at.
To the disappointment of some, a move did not materialise. But despite that, he still looks set to change clubs.
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Jhon Duran now set to join Zenit after Everton links
Jhon Duran playing for Fenerbahce.
Photo by Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images
It has been reported by A Spor journalist Erdem Akbas that Duran is actually now set for a move to Russian outfit Zenit, who had been linked a few days ago.
He says: “Jhon Duran has reached an agreement with Zenit. The Colombian footballer will travel to Russia today to sign with his new team.”
BizimTV report information from Sport24 that Zenit will have an option to buy of around €40 million (34.7 million) on Duran.
It is a move that will again raise eyebrows.
Duran was considered one of the most promising strikers on the market during the end of his spell at Aston Villa.
He then moved to Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Nassr for a whopping £64 million.
Duran joined Fenerbahce on loan, but the player is now set for another intriguing new chapter.
Duran would have been a great addition by Everton
It’s unclear how close Everton really came to signing Duran in the winter window.
But it’s somewhat of a shame that the club couldn’t bring him in, because we all saw how he thrived in the Premier League not so long ago with Villa.
Jhon Duran ahead of playing for Fenerbahce.
Photo by Burak Basturk / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images
Ultimately Everton have faith in Barry and Beto to score goals going forward.
But arguably, Duran is an upgrade on both players – especially Beto.
Perhaps it would have depended on getting Beto out, and maybe it was just too complicated a move to do given the late stage of the window.
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