Duran completes £71m Saudi move from Aston Villa

Jhon Duran, a striker from Aston Villa, has signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a deal that could fetch up to £71 million.

The 21-year-old Colombian will join new team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in Riyadh.

The club stated that ” Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al Nassr.”

“Everyone at Aston Villa wishes Jhon the best of the beginning of his professional career.”

Duran was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday, a result which booked their spot in the last 16 of the competition.

Duran joined Villa from Chicago Fire for £18m in January 2023 but has been linked with a move away since last summer, with West Ham long-term admirers.

In all his 78 appearances for Villa this season, he has scored 12 goals, including 20 goals, but only seven of those goals have been league starts.

Ollie Watkins will now be Villa’s only main striker with Duran’s departure, with Arsenal contacting him this week.

Villa, who travel to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, have no intention of allowing Watkins to leave.

Boss Unai Emery said on Wednesday: “I don’t want]to sell]. I’m pleased to have offers from other clubs. Through the players in the squad, we want to keep our sporting goal.

Every player can enter the market if the outcome benefits both the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker. “