Jhon Durán has officially completed his move from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr in a deal worth up to £71 million, making him the latest high-profile player to head to Saudi Arabia. The 21-year-old Colombian striker will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and wear the No. 9 shirt for the Riyadh-based club.
Villa secured a significant profit on Durán, who originally joined from Chicago Fire for £18 million. He has been in fine form this season, scoring 12 goals in 29 appearances, including a dramatic winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. His departure was confirmed after Villa manager Unai Emery reiterated that Ollie Watkins remains committed to the club despite interest from Arsenal.
“Ollie is happy to stay,” Emery said. “He appreciates what Aston Villa has done for him, and we continue to support him. His commitment is unquestionable, and we need him as much as he needs us.”
The Durán transfer is Villa’s second-largest sale ever, following Jack Grealish’s £100 million move to Manchester City in 2021.
Al-Nassr’s Mitoma Pursuit Ends as Brighton Rejects £75m Offer
Despite securing Durán, Al-Nassr abandoned their pursuit of Kaoru Mitoma after Brighton rejected a second bid of £75 million. The Saudi club had initially tabled a £54.4 million offer, but Brighton stood firm, unwilling to part with the 27-year-old Japanese winger.
Mitoma, who signed a new contract in October 2023, remains committed to Brighton, with two years left on his deal. He has no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, further cementing his place as a key player in Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
Neymar Returns to Santos After Injury-Stricken Al-Hilal Spell
Meanwhile, Neymar has officially rejoined Santos, the club where he began his professional career, following a difficult stint at Al-Hilal. The Brazilian star confirmed his return on social media, while Santos celebrated the homecoming with the hashtag “ThePrinceIsBack” and a highlight reel of his past achievements.
Now 32 years old, Neymar remains the world’s most expensive footballer following his £200 million transfer to PSG in 2017. However, his time at Al-Hilal was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just seven appearances after suffering ACL and hamstring issues.
Neymar originally made his Santos debut at 17, scoring 136 goals in 225 matches before leaving for Barcelona in 2013. His emotional return to the club marks a new chapter in his illustrious career, with the forward expressing his deep-rooted connection to Santos and its fans.
“It’s been nearly 12 years since I left, but it feels like yesterday,” Neymar wrote. “My love for this club and its supporters has never changed.”
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