Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has admitted his winning goal against Bayern Munich on Wednesday was particularly sweet because the German side are “the club of his dreams”.

20-year-old Duran was linked with a £40m move to the likes of Chelsea and West Ham United during the summer but has since seen his value explode with a return of six goals in just 297 minutes across all competitions, including a long-range winner over Bayern.

Duran’s unbelievable form, coupled with the fact that he is still stuck behind Ollie Watkins in the pecking order at Villa, has seen a number of Europe’s biggest clubs touted as suitors. Barcelona and Real Madrid are among those to have been linked, but Duran has confessed it is Bayern who hold a special place in his heart.

“I feel happy to be able to score, and even more so against a great team like Bayern Munich, which is the club of my dreams,” Duran told ESPN after the game. “I am happy to be the player of the match against this team, which was also my dream.

“I think it’s all part of the job, being focused, waiting for the opportunity and taking advantage of the moment. I thank the fans that have welcomed me since I arrived, we’ve had a couple of disagreements, but I think we’re on good terms now and I’m happy that they give me that affection and love.”

Duran’s uncle, former Colombia goalkeeper Oswaldo Duran, joined in the praise for the 20-year-old but urged his nephew to make the move to Real Madrid instead.

“We are talking about a player who, if he has his feet on the ground, if he lets himself be guided by his advisors, will be very great because he is very young and is not yet mature as an athlete,” Oswaldo told Gol Caracol.

“If his behaviour was not the best, it is normal; you have to let him see it and he will correct it. Having character is different from seeing or believing that others are less than me.

“Not speaking to people is not character for me, but because I am related to him and have known him since I was a child we believe that we have already achieved everything and since he is young, he may suddenly think that, but I have enormous faith that he is going to correct his behaviour.

“Jhon Jader is still a 20-year-old boy and there is a lot of room for improvement. When he plays as a starter, he will be among the top scorers in any league he plays in.

“God gave him virtues that he has to take advantage of and polish, such as his aerial game or getting behind the backs of defenders. Let’s hope that the next sale is to Real Madrid.”

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