Real Madrid join PSG & West Ham in race for £80m striker | OneFootball

Spanish giants Real Madrid have reportedly joined the competitive race for the signature of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.

The Colombia international was available for around £40m just six months ago - a valuation which prompted West Ham United to end their pursuit. However, after a burst of prolific form to start the campaign, Duran has emerged as one of the most in-demand forwards anywhere on the continent.

West Ham reignited their interest in the 21-year-old this month, tabling a sensational £57m bid which was swiftly rebuffed by Villa, who value their forward at roughly £80m. Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr elbowed their way in to the negotiations, although haven't yet submitted an offer for the number nine.

Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be interested and now Madrid have waded into proceedings according to the French publication Foot Mercato.

Jhon Duran has racked up 12 goals despite making just seven starts across all competitions this season / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

The reigning European and Spanish champions are reportedly considering taking "concrete action" as soon as this month, although it remains to be seen whether they would be willing to meet Villa's lofty price tag.

Madrid already boast one of the most fearsome frontlines in world football. As Carlo Ancelotti pointed out this week: "With [Kylian] Mbappe, Vini Jr, Rodrygo and [Jude] Bellingham, we won't have any problems scoring."

None of those aforementioned players are considered to be classic centre-forwards in the mould of Duran. After the departures of Karim Benzema and Joselu in recent years, the closest thing Madrid have to a figure in that role is Brazilian teenager Endrick. Despite struggling for minutes, the Spanish side are not prepared to loan him out this month, according to Fabrizio Romano.

PSG have already been active in January, snapping up Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a deal worth £59m while shipping out Randal Kolo Muani on loan to Juventus. Luis Enrique has not regularly lined up with a natural centre-forward but insisted that he was open to the possibility this week.

Despite the queue of European giants eyeing him up, Duran's preference is supposedly a move to Al Nassr, according to Foot Mercato.