Aston Villa has confirmed the departure of striker Jhon Duran, who has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a deal worth up to £71m. The 21-year-old Colombian international will team up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in Riyadh. Duran’s move brings an end to his 13-month stay at Villa Park, where he scored 20 goals in 78 appearances.
Duran’s departure has left Villa with a striking dilemma, as Ollie Watkins is now the club’s only main striker. Watkins has been the subject of interest from Arsenal, but Villa boss Unai Emery has stated that the club has no intention of selling the England international. Emery said, “I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.”
The signing of forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund during the transfer window is seen as a replacement for Moussa Diaby, who joined Al-Ittihad in the summer. Duran’s move to Al-Nassr is a significant blow to Villa’s attacking options, and the club will need to find a suitable replacement to support Watkins.
Duran’s departure has sparked mixed reactions from Villa fans, with some expressing disappointment at the loss of a talented young player, while others feel that the £71m transfer fee is a good deal for the club. The Colombian striker’s move to Al-Nassr is seen as a significant coup for the Saudi Pro League side, which has been attracting high-profile players in recent years.
