Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr has completed the signing of Jhon Duran from English Premier League club Aston Villa in a deal worth £71m.
The 21-year-old Colombian striker will now link up with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in Riyadh.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al-Nassr,” the club announced. “Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career.”
Duran was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday, a victory that secured their place in the last 16 of the competition.
Having joined Villa from Chicago Fire for £18m in January 2023, Duran had been linked with a move away since last summer, with West Ham among his long-term admirers. He has scored 12 goals in 29 games this season and 20 in 78 overall, though he has only started seven league matches.
His departure leaves Ollie Watkins as Villa’s only recognized striker, with the England international reportedly attracting interest from Arsenal. However, Villa has no plans to sell.
Manager Unai Emery reaffirmed this stance on Wednesday, saying: “I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs, but we want to keep our sporting objectives intact. Every player can be in the market if it benefits both the player and the club, but for Watkins, we will be very demanding. He is our striker.”
Villa has brought in forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund this transfer window, though he is widely viewed as a replacement for Moussa Diaby, who moved to Al-Ittihad last summer.
Villa will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when they visit Wolves.
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