ASTON VILLA STRIKER Jhon Duran has joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in a deal worth a reported £64 million (€76.5 million)
Duran was unable to break into Villa’s team on a regular basis despite a series of impressive substitute appearances.
The 21-year-old Colombian scored Villa’s winner in their memorable Champions League victory against Bayern Munich earlier this season.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al-Nassr for an undisclosed fee,” the Premier League club said in a statement.
“The striker moves to Saudi Arabia having scored 12 goals for Villa this term, including the winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career.”
Duran will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in the Al Nassr attack after completing his move on the Saudi transfer deadline day.
It is the second biggest transfer fee Villa have received behind the £100 million (€119.5m) Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish.
Duran joined Villa from Chicago Fire for £18 million (€21.5m) in January 2023, scoring 20 goals in 78 appearances, but making just seven league starts.
Duran’s exit means Villa are almost certain to keep England striker Ollie Watkins, who had been the subject of a reported £60 million (€71.7m) bid from Arsenal.
Villa boss Unai Emery said earlier on Friday that Watkins had told him he wanted to stay with the club.
Meanwhile, Neymar has completed his return to Santos. The club officially announced the transfer this evening, after the 32-year-old Brazil international confirmed his next move on social media on Thursday.
Additional reporting from Press Association
Nice bit of business from Villa all the same
Promising career ruined for greed. Sad.
@Michael Carroll: I suppose some fellas’ aims are trophies, others it’s money. I wouldn’t begrudge them. You’d think he’d have spent at least a few years in pursuit of the former all the same.
@Michael Carroll: He’ll be back in Europe by the time he’s 25. The Saudis know what they’re doing when they target African and South American footballers who more often than not have to earn big and help their families and loved ones.
@ecrowley ecrowley: he’ll win trophies there too….I think people forget that most continental young lads don’t grow up dreaming of playing for Aston Villa. Going to Saudi isn’t so bad for him from where he’s at now. Probably win more trophies there
@Ultán Corcoran: By the time he’s 25, his game will have regressed so much from playing against garden gnomes that he’ll be lucky to togg out for a second division team.
Great business for Villa, hopefully they can spend it wisely. I know the wages in Saudi are off the scale and players can be financially secure for life but I have the question why young players would waste their prime years in an awful league. Surely earning 30,000 – 60,000 a week at the minimum end of wages over a 10 year career could also set you up for life and keep you playing at a top level.
@Ger Power: I don’t know when they speak of wages is it before or after tax? If it’s before tax then they’re subject to 45% tax so a 60k salary would be closer to the 30k if taxed at that rate .. it’s more than enough money obviously either way but that’s tiny compared to the riches on offer in Saudi .. I know I’d take the oil money for a few years.
Football’s gone mad
What a waste
€76mil for a sub, shrewd business by the Villa. BTW Watkins needs a move to fulfil his potential. Villa could do worse than cashing in and buying Ferguson:
@Hibernicus: Villa selling their two strikers and buying an out of form injury prone young striker with promise in Ferguson as a replacement.. not sure that would constitute as good business. If they bought Ferguson as an understudy to Watkins though that would make sense. Madness to cash in on both though
Madness!
Rashford to villa
@Paully kells: I will drive him there
@ Mistral. Are you sure your name is not Mohammed.
@Michael Carroll: Still waiting on an answer but maybe your mother has confiscated your phone
Saudi league could actually soon become on a par with major European leagues at this rate
@Caolan Z: hopefully not cant stand the saudi’s
@Teddy O neill: Why?