New Delhi: Striker Jhon Duran has completed his move to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr from Aston Villa. The Colombia international is set to join new teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in Riyadh. Duran had already undergone medical in London on Thursday before his transfer was confirmed and now has a five-and-a-half-year contract that will be in place until 2030. The deal is estimated to be valued at around £71m.
Earlier in the winter transfer window Al Nassr had a verbal agreement for Victor Bonafice from Bayer Leverkusen but instead, they have gone for Duran. Last October, Duran had signed a new contract at Villa which would have run until 2030. In the summer transfer window, West Ham had shown interest but their bid was rejected. Another bid in the January transfer window was also rejected, having also rejected an interest on Ollie Watkins from Arsenal earlier this week.
Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Durán has joined Al Nassr for an undisclosed fee.
Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career. pic.twitter.com/du26gbKUav
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 31, 2025
Duran joined Villa from Chicago Fire for a fee estimated at £17.75m, in January 2023, and has scored 20 times in his 78 appearances for the Premier League team. Despite his performance, Watkins is the preferred striker and Duran has only made seven starts across competitions this season. His departure though means Watkins is the only striker in the Villan squad.
The 22-year-old will join Al Nassr who are placed third in the Saudi Pro League, with an eight points difference from leaders Al Hilal and five behind Al Ittihad who are placed second. Last season Al Nassri finished second. Former Milan head coach Stefano Pioli took over the helm of the club in September.
Villa have no intention of selling Watkins as their boss Unai Emery noted that he wanted most of his players in the squad to remain. Emery noted that it was still the “sporting objectives” that were most important. Vila have signed Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window. The forward is being seen as a replacement for Moussa Diaby who left for At-Ittihad last summer.
Jhon Duran has made his move from Premier League side Aston Villa to Al Nassr. The Colombian international had already attracted interests from West Ham twice. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
