‘Emery has last Aston Villa laugh’ as Jhon Duran announcement emerges
Jhon Duran will always split opinion at Aston Villa.
The Colombian forward was capable of the spectacular, but pushed to leave Villa Park for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, in a deal worth around £71million.
The move had shocked some Villa fans – Duran had enjoyed a brilliant first half of the season, scoring 12 goals for Unai Emery’s team.
The striker seemed set on an exit from Villa Park, but his time outside of European football has been short-lived.
Duran may regret Villa exit
Emery has likely enjoyed the last laugh from the situation that saw Duran leave Villa Park.
The Colombian wanted to be the Spaniard’s main man going forward, but fed up sharing minutes with Ollie Watkins, the striker quickly decided to pack his bags.
The 21-year-old ultimately decided to leave the Villans, with Al-Nassr providing the Colombian with a route out.
That decision appeared to be strange – Duran had interest from Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, who likely would have made moves in the summer.
| Al-Nassr strikers | Goals in Saudi Pro League after January 2025 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 10 |
| Jhon Duran | 8 |
But the forward was intent on leaving as soon as possible. Six months on, that commitment appears to have spectacularly blown up in Duran’s face.
At Al-Nassr, Duran received the minutes he wanted, but often spent his time in the shadow of Saudi Pro League talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese legend has now signed a stunning new contract with the club, reportedly worth the best part of £500m, furthering Duran’s place in Al-Nassr as a footballing footnote.
So, it’s now Fenerbahce for the striker on loan for a year, where he will be forced to battle with Jose Mourinho’s favoured option up front – Youssef En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan scored 20 goals in the Super Lig last season, and could well be yet another thorn in Duran’s side.
Duran’s mistake is clear
Ironically, Duran may not have had to wait even a month for his wish to come true.
Watkins received interest that was formalised into an Arsenal bid in the closing stages of the same transfer window, and Villa may have been inclined to accept it had Duran stayed.
And the Englishman could still leave Villa this summer, with Manchester United reportedly weighing up a move.
A penny for Duran’s thoughts – the striker surely regrets his hasty decision, whilst Emery looks for his new main man, laughing in the process.
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