Jhon Duran, the Colombian forward who recently departed Aston Villa, has found himself at the centre of controversy following his transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The move, which was officially announced on Friday, has drawn sharp criticism from former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf, who described the decision as "insane." While the exact fee remains undisclosed, reports suggest that the total value of the transfer could approach £77 million, including potential add-ons.
Aston Villa issued a statement confirming Duran's departure, extending their best wishes for his future: "Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al Nassr for an undisclosed fee. Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career." Duran, who joined Villa from Chicago Fire FC II in 2023, made a notable impact during his time in the Premier League, scoring 20 goals in 78 appearances. His performances earned him 15 caps for the Colombian national team, and he will now have the opportunity to play alongside global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr, who currently sit third in the Saudi Pro League with 38 points from 18 matches.
Prior to his move to Al-Nassr, Duran was on the verge of joining West Ham United in July, having reportedly agreed to personal terms for a £35 million transfer. However, that deal ultimately fell through. Since then, he has made a significant impact in the Premier League, netting four goals in his first six matches of the season, including crucial strikes against West Ham, Leicester City, and Everton. Despite facing competition from Ollie Watkins, Duran's performances attracted interest from several top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Nevertheless, his decision to join the Saudi Pro League has raised eyebrows, particularly from Leboeuf.
In an interview with ESPNFC, Leboeuf expressed his disbelief at Duran's choice, stating, "At 20 no way, never. Why do you want to leave top-level football? That's insane. You have to have in your blood the love of football. With all due respect to the Saudi League, it's for almost retired players. I did that in Qatar, the same in the MLS; we've seen that before in Japan. It's not for a 20-year-old. There are people who will say he can come back. We had Fofana go from Lens to Saudi Arabia and then went back to Rennes. It doesn't work because it's too hard; you drop your level."
Leboeuf further elaborated on the implications of such a move, saying, "The Premier League is different, so much faster, much more tactical, everything. When you leave to go there when you have a chance to join another club, I thought he would be a possibility to go to Chelsea, I heard that at some point; why do you want to go there? I know you want to protect your family and your kids when you have one or two and your grandkids after. But come on! That's not the thing to do right now. You have to think about football and the love of football and the fact you play at the top level. That's irresponsible from his agent to have pushed him to go there."
Leboeuf's comments reflect a growing concern regarding the trend of young talents opting for lucrative contracts in leagues outside of Europe’s elite competitions at such critical stages in their careers. This shift raises important questions about the long-term development of players who may prioritise financial incentives over competitive growth, a sentiment echoed by various analysts in the football community. As the landscape of global football continues to evolve, the implications of such decisions will undoubtedly be scrutinised in the years to come.