Jim White ‘confirms’ huge Aston Villa news, Simon Jordan reacts
Jhon Duran has to be questioned on his “psyche” and will not develop well alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as he leaves Aston Villa, according to Simon Jordan.
The 21-year-old is off to Al-Nassr having passed a medical with the Saudi Pro League club, who will pay a fee in excess of £75million plus bonuses, as shared by Jordan’s talkSPORT co-host Jim White on X (30 January).
White said on social media: “I can confirm Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has passed his medical and will fly to Riyadh tomorrow to join up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr for a 90m euros fee plus add-ons.”
Jordan, alongside White live in the talkSPORT studio on Thursday afternoon (30 January, 12:25), wished Duran luck upon his imminent departure from Villa Park but with several caveats.
“The only person who can determine whether it’s a mistake is himself. He has his motivations for going there. If you take out the money side of things, would he be going to Saudi Arabia? The answer is probably no, so money is the big part of it,” Jordan analysed.
“Do you want him to be all about money? Because all the best footballers get paid. So for me, it says something about his psyche, his motivations, and will say something about his development.
“Irrespective of whether you’re playing with a 39-year-old Ronaldo, you’re not playing against the best players in the world and you’re not developing yourself in the way that players in other leagues are. Good luck to him.”
Jhon Duran luckily has time to revive career after Aston Villa exit
Many have openly criticised Duran and accused him of wasting his career as he departs Champions League qualifiers Aston Villa for Al-Nassr, who beyond Ronaldo – who turns 40 next week – also boast players such as Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte and Marcelo Brozovic.
While the Colombian may argue he is playing alongside and against some of the best in the world, everyone is aware they come as a fraction of the genuine level of competition in Saudi Arabia.
The investment will always be there to strengthen the league as much as possible, but right now Duran would develop far better in the Premier League and Champions League.
The striker is understandably frustrated at Villa Park and that must be taken into consideration, with Unai Emery’s system allowing for only one of he or in-form England frontman Ollie Watkins.
Luckily for Duran, he is still just 21 and has plenty of time to return to Europe ahead of what will be anticipated as his prime years. Had he been making this move five years down the line, the questioning of his ambitions would be called out far more intensely.
Who knows – maybe we’ll see the memorable maverick number nine back in the Premier League or even back at Villa Park one day.
In other Aston Villa news, the latest state of play on Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins and the rejected bid.
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