Jhon Duran’s rise in English football was gaining momentum at Aston Villa, where he netted 12 goals in the first half of the season despite playing behind Ollie Watkins.
However, frustrated by limited game time under Unai Emery, the 21-year-old became a hot topic in the January transfer window.
Big clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal, and West Ham explored moves for the Colombian forward. But in a dramatic twist, Saudi giants Al-Nassr swooped in before the deadline, securing his signature for a reported £64 million.
The transfer raised eyebrows, including those of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Duran wasted no time proving his worth, scoring twice on his debut in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win over Al-Fayha, making history as the first player to achieve such a feat since the league’s rebranding in 2008.
Wenger, who watched the match, admitted he was taken aback by the timing of the move.
“Duran is a young player who was loved at Aston Villa,” Wenger said during a visit to Al-Nassr.
“It’s surprising to see him leave the Premier League mid-season for Saudi Arabia. But credit to Al-Nassr—they made a great signing.”
The legendary coach praised Al-Nassr’s progress, highlighting their acquisitions of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Aymeric Laporte. “They have great coaches, top players, and Ronaldo, a role model for young talents,” he noted.
“With strong financial backing and smart decisions, they are building something special.”
After his explosive debut, Duran expressed excitement about playing alongside Ronaldo. “I’m thrilled to learn from the best athlete in the world,” he said. “Scoring with the football king feels like playing a career in FIFA.”
With his Al-Nassr chapter off to a flying start, Duran’s unexpected move might just prove to be a masterstroke.