AS: Cristiano Ronaldo to get new $80 million strike partner

Two years after Aston Villa bought Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire they stand to make a huge profit on the deal.

The European transfer window is drawing to a close but there’s still a lot of business to be done before the deadline on Monday, February 3.

The biggest move of the window to date came on Wednesday with the news that Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has agreed a deal with Al Nassr. The Colombian will reportedly cost Al Nassr around $80 million but it could prove a wise investment if he continues his current rate of improvement.

The 21-year-old has made a real impact for Villa this year, coming off the bench to score a number of crucial goals for the Premier League side. He has impressed in Europe, too, scoring a stunning winner against Bayern Munich.

Duran is set to join Al Nassr, where he will play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward turns 40 next week but is still a prolific goal-scorer, hitting 20 in 23 appearances for Al Nassr so far this season.

Jhon Duran heads to the Saudi Pro League

The arrival of Duran may necessitate a formation change for Al Nassr, who have largely been playing with CR7 as a lone striker this season. Head coach Stefano Pioli also has former Liverpool star Sadio Mane to fit into a star-studded frontline.

Yet despite that attacking talent, Al Nassr find themselves off the pace in the Saudi Pro League title race. They are eight points adrift of leaders Al Hilal, behind Al Ittihad and even Al Qadisiyah.

The arrival of Jhon Duran is another statement of intent from the Saudi side but it represents an incredible bit of transfer business from Villa. They spent around $22 million to sign him from MLS side Chicago Fire back in January 2023 and he’s developed into one of the Premier League’s most in-demand young strikers. Villa boss Unai Emery admitted that this departure would bring a significant windfall.

“If he is leaving it is because it is a good deal for us. Because we have developed a young player in two years. It is not only club, it [has to work for] club, player and team,” Emery said. “With Jhon Duran, you know more or less everything we are speaking here. He is a fantastic young player, fantastic potential. I was so close with him, trying to work with him in his development.”

Villa aren’t the only beneficiaries. The $22 million deal with Chicago Fire also includes a sell-on fee that will prove very lucrative for the MLS team. In fact, MLS Insider Tom Bogert reports that the sell-on percentage from the Al Nassr deal makes his move to Villa the new MLS record transfer.