Football 39n3s
Aston Villa Forward Jhon Duran Set To Saudi Pro League Side Al-Nassr In £64m Move z2y43
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished30 Jan 2025
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is set to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a move worth a reported £64 million.
Jhon Duran Set For £64m Al-Nassr Move 5l1y4j
Football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran has agreed to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a move worth a reported £64.4 million plus add-ons.
Romano adds that Duran has accepted the Saudi outfit’s long-term proposal and that he’s set to fly out to the Middle Eastern country to finalise the transfer after undergoing a medical in London on Thursday.
“Jhon Durán to Al Nassr, here we go! Story from earlier tonight confirmed as documents are being prepare,” the Italian wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening.
“Aston Villa to receive €77m fixed fee plus add-ons, long term deal accepted by Durán.
“Medical booked tomorrow [Thursday] and then he will travel to Saudi right after.”
🚨🟡🔵 Jhon Durán to Al Nassr, here we go! Story from earlier tonight confirmed as documents are being prepared.
Aston Villa to receive €77m fixed fee plus add-ons, long term deal accepted by Durán.
Medical booked tomorrow and then he will travel to Saudi right after ✈️🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/m3SN6ots84
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2025
Unai Emery: “If Duran Leaves, It’s Good News” y193r
Duran was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League league phase on Wednesday.
After the match, Villans boss Unai Emery commented on the Colombian’s potential exit, stating: “I don’t know exactly until everything is done if Jhon Duran is leaving or not. If he leaves, it’s good news for us, because they are paying good money, because it’s good for him, because as well, we have developed a young player in two years to get this offer.
“It’s not only for the club, but it’s for the players, and the team – these circumstances can be positive. I don’t know if he’s leaving or not.”
Emery was then asked whether Duran had asked to leave the club, to which he responded: “If he’s leaving, it’s because he wants to. I told you last week I wanted him here. But what does he want? We are all different people.”
Finally, the Spaniard added: “My opinion about him, he’s a fantastic player, fantastic potential. I was close with him, trying to work with him in his development. They have their goals, ambitions and if he’s leaving, it’s because he wants to go another way in his career.”
The 21-year-old contributed with 12 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions for Villa this term, most notably netting the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Bayern Munich earlier in the campaign.
His exit from Villa Park comes just two years after arriving from MLS side Chicago Fire. It also comes amid Villa rejecting a £60 million approach from Arsenal for first-choice striker Ollie Watkins.
By ing Al-Nassr, Duran links up with former Premier League stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte, as well as former Croatia international Marcelo Brozovic and former European Cup winning coach Stefano Pioli.