Jhon Duran set for stunning £64m Saudi move to partner Cristiano Ronaldo as Arsenal Ollie Watkins bid KO’d
Jhon Duran is set to undergo a medical with Al Nassr on Thursday and complete a £64million move from Aston Villa. The big-spending Saudi Pro League is looking to make another major attacking transfer this January and Duran is next in line to join after Villa accepted an offer from Al Nassr. Duran looks set for a massive payday in Saudi having agreed a big money transfer from VillaGetty Villa have reached an agreement to sell Duran for an initial of fee of €77million (£64.5m), with add-ons potentially taking the total package to €90m (£75m). It’s a transfer that will see the 21-year-old Colombian play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for Al Nassr at the beginning of 2023. And it will almost certainly end Arsenal’s attempts to sign Ollie Watkins, with the Gunners launching a shock bid for the England ace earlier on Wednesday. Villa immediately rejected that offer from their Premier League rivals and will not entertain losing both their strikers. Just hours after news of Arsenal’s interest emerged, Watkins scored for Villa in their 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday night which booked a last-16 spot. Duran was an unused substitute and was spotted saying goodbye to fans at the end of the game. He is understood to have already agreed personal terms with Al Nassr on a five-and-a-half year contract, and is scheduled to undergo a medical in London on Thursday. talkSPORT understands Duran will bank €15m (approximately £12.5m) a year – almost £250,000 per week. When asked about Duran’s movements following the win over Celtic, Villa boss Unai Emery said: “Our players are interesting other clubs and as well [they are] paying good money for us. “But of course our objective here is to keep our structure intelligently because we want to be on the sports side on the level we are and to keep it for a long time is the most difficult challenge we have. “Of course sometimes we have to do it, maybe sell some players and as well change and try to continue improving always. Duran is set to leave Villa nearly two years after signingGetty Arsenal’s hopes of signing Watkins now appear to be overGetty “I don’t know exactly until everything is done if Jhon Duran is leaving but if he is leaving it is good news for us because it means they are paying good money. “Because we have developed one young player in two years to get this offer. It is not only for the club, it is the club, the players and team, those circumstances can be positive. Club, the player and the team.” Emery was more defiant in his stance over Watkins’ future, insisting he was “our striker” and that the club would demand a huge figure to even consider selling. Asked if he could say for certain Watkins would not be sold, the Spaniard said: “I don’t want (him to leave). “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. “Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.” Duran had been the subject of strong interest from Villa’s Premier League rivals West Ham. The Hammers bid £40million and £57million for the Villa man this month with both offers being rejected, with the Saudis now moving in. Al Nassr have also been keen on Bayer Leverkusen talent Victor Boniface, but Duran is now set to scupper that move. Duran has netted 12 goals from 29 appearances this season for Villa, but has largely played second fiddle to Watkins. He was named on the bench on Wednesday night for Villa’s 4-2 win against Celtic in the Champions League, with Watkins again preferred up front. Duran began his career with Colombian outfit Envigado in 2019 before making the move to Chicago Fire. He scored eight goals in 28 appearances for the MLS side and that was enough to encourage Villa to spend just shy of £18m for Duran in the summer of 2023. Duran scored just five Premier League goals last season but his efforts attracted the attention of Chelsea and West Ham in the summer. But he stayed at Villa Park and has enjoyed a productive season with 12 goals, including three in the Champions League. He signed a new contract with Villa in October until 2030 – but just three months on he’s now poised for a new challenge in the Middle East.
Jhon Duran is set to undergo a medical with Al Nassr on Thursday and complete a £64million move from Aston Villa.
The big-spending Saudi Pro League is looking to make another major attacking transfer this January and Duran is next in line to join after Villa accepted an offer from Al Nassr.
Villa have reached an agreement to sell Duran for an initial of fee of €77million (£64.5m), with add-ons potentially taking the total package to €90m (£75m).
It’s a transfer that will see the 21-year-old Colombian play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for Al Nassr at the beginning of 2023.
And it will almost certainly end Arsenal’s attempts to sign Ollie Watkins, with the Gunners launching a shock bid for the England ace earlier on Wednesday.
Villa immediately rejected that offer from their Premier League rivals and will not entertain losing both their strikers.
Just hours after news of Arsenal’s interest emerged, Watkins scored for Villa in their 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday night which booked a last-16 spot.
Duran was an unused substitute and was spotted saying goodbye to fans at the end of the game.
He is understood to have already agreed personal terms with Al Nassr on a five-and-a-half year contract, and is scheduled to undergo a medical in London on Thursday.
talkSPORT understands Duran will bank €15m (approximately £12.5m) a year – almost £250,000 per week.
When asked about Duran’s movements following the win over Celtic, Villa boss Unai Emery said: “Our players are interesting other clubs and as well [they are] paying good money for us.
“But of course our objective here is to keep our structure intelligently because we want to be on the sports side on the level we are and to keep it for a long time is the most difficult challenge we have.
“Of course sometimes we have to do it, maybe sell some players and as well change and try to continue improving always.
“I don’t know exactly until everything is done if Jhon Duran is leaving but if he is leaving it is good news for us because it means they are paying good money.
“Because we have developed one young player in two years to get this offer. It is not only for the club, it is the club, the players and team, those circumstances can be positive. Club, the player and the team.”
Emery was more defiant in his stance over Watkins’ future, insisting he was “our striker” and that the club would demand a huge figure to even consider selling.
Asked if he could say for certain Watkins would not be sold, the Spaniard said: “I don’t want (him to leave).
“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.
“Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”
Duran had been the subject of strong interest from Villa’s Premier League rivals West Ham.
The Hammers bid £40million and £57million for the Villa man this month with both offers being rejected, with the Saudis now moving in.
Al Nassr have also been keen on Bayer Leverkusen talent Victor Boniface, but Duran is now set to scupper that move.
Duran has netted 12 goals from 29 appearances this season for Villa, but has largely played second fiddle to Watkins.
He was named on the bench on Wednesday night for Villa’s 4-2 win against Celtic in the Champions League, with Watkins again preferred up front.
Duran began his career with Colombian outfit Envigado in 2019 before making the move to Chicago Fire.
He scored eight goals in 28 appearances for the MLS side and that was enough to encourage Villa to spend just shy of £18m for Duran in the summer of 2023.
Duran scored just five Premier League goals last season but his efforts attracted the attention of Chelsea and West Ham in the summer.
But he stayed at Villa Park and has enjoyed a productive season with 12 goals, including three in the Champions League.
He signed a new contract with Villa in October until 2030 – but just three months on he’s now poised for a new challenge in the Middle East.
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