Notorious Colombia gang group ELN, known for their criminal activities has been identified as the kidnappers of Luiz Diaz father. According to a tweet by Fabrizio Romano on Thursday, the Colombian government has reasons to believe that the group carried out the act. Diaz parents Luis Manuel Díaz and his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, were abducted last Saturday by armed men at a petrol station in Barrancas in Colombia’s northern La Guajira state. While Marulanda was freed the same day, there has been no update on Luis Manuel Díaz’s rescue after 5 days. 
Colombia government Identifies notorious gang as kidnappers of Luis Díaz father – Getty image The Colombian police have identified two of the four men who kidnapped Luis Manuel Díaz and are racing to prevent his captors from smuggling him into neighbouring Venezuela. The search for Luis Manuel Díaz is still ongoing across La Guajira, a desert region close to Venezuela which is reportedly a hotbed for armed groups smuggling contraband and cocaine. The Columbian police have reportedly, offered a reward for information leading to the rescue of Manuel Diaz.
19-year-old Colombian striker Jhon Duran has been signed by Aston Villa following a £15 million ($18m) deal with MLS outfit the Chicago Fire. 
Duran who is already the second-youngest player to score in the Colombian top flight at the age of 15, became the most expensive foreign signing in MLS history after moving to Chicago from Envigado in January 2021. The Colombia international contributed eight goals and five assists during the 2022 campaign for MLS, getting attention from Manchester United and Liverpool’s scouts. Villa has however announced that they have successfully negotiated a transfer fee with their Chicago Fire counterparts. 
The club said in a statement; “Aston Villa can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Chicago Fire for the permanent transfer of 19-year-old striker, Jhon Duran. “The deal is subject to the player passing a medical, agreeing personal terms and obtaining the necessary work visa.” Should a transfer be completed in due course, Duran will depart Chicago Fire after just one season, his development having previously begun at Engivado FC. 
Villa has moved away from the Premier League relegation zone since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in October, collecting 13 points from six matches under the Spaniard. They now sit in 11th position in the table, 10 points above the bottom three and just six adrift of sixth-placed Fulham ahead of a trip to Southampton on January 21.