Colombian striker Jhon Duran has completed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr from Aston Villa, with the deal potentially reaching up to £71 million. The 21-year-old forward will now link up with global football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane at the Riyadh club.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al-Nassr,” the club announced on Thursday. “Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career.”
Duran’s transfer comes shortly after he was an unused substitute in Villa’s impressive 4-2 Champions League victory over Celtic, a result that secured their place in the tournament’s last 16. The young striker, who joined Villa from Chicago Fire for £18 million in January 2023, has been linked with a transfer away from Villa Park since last summer, having attracted interest from clubs such as West Ham.
During his time at Villa, Duran scored 12 goals in 29 games this season and achieved a total of 20 goals in 78 appearances, though his league starts were limited to just seven.
With Duran’s departure, Ollie Watkins remains as Villa’s sole main striker. The England international has recently drawn interest from Arsenal, but Villa manager Unai Emery made it clear that the club has no intentions of letting him go. “I don’t want to sell,” Emery stated. “Watkins is our striker.”
To bolster their attacking options, Aston Villa has signed forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, primarily seen as a replacement for Moussa Diaby, who moved to Al-Ittihad during the summer transfer window. Villa will be looking to make a strong statement as they face Wolves in their upcoming Premier League match.
