February 3 – Colombia and Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran has departed the English Premier League for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in a reported £64 million deal.
The Colombian becomes the latest high-profile player to be lured to the Arab Kingdom that went on a spending spree in 2023 to lift the profile of its domestic competition, the Saudi Pro League. Duran will join Cristiano Ronaldo’s team in the Saudi capital Riyad. Two years ago, Aston Villa acquired his services for £18 million.
In a statement, Villa wrote: “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.”
The club from the Midlands has in the meantime made space for Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Once the boy wonder of English football, he fell out of favour at Old Trafford and has not featured in recent England squads, missing out on last year’s European championship.
Duran is not the only European-based player moving to the Arab Kingdom.
In an eye-catching transfer, Lyon winger Said Benrahma has joined Neom SC on loan with a purchase clause if the club gain promotion to the Saudi Pro League. The Algerian had joined Lyon on loan from West Ham United before the French club triggered the clause to make the deal permanent. Neom are currently top of Saudi Arabia’s second tier and have ambition to establish themselves as one of the leading clubs in the country.
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