Report: Aston Villa's Duran on verge of €77M transfer to Al-Nassr

Al-Nassr and Aston Villa reached an agreement in principle for Jhon Duran to move to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth €77 million plus add-ons, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

Duran reportedly approved a five-year contract to join the Saudi Pro League club. He's expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday, Ornstein adds.

Al-Nassr will end their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface if the Duran transfer goes through, per Ornstein. Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso said Monday that the Nigerian striker was in talks to leave the club during the January transfer window amid reports of an Al-Nassr bid exceeding €50 million.

Duran's switch from England to the Middle East could also increase Aston Villa's determination to retain fellow striker Ollie Watkins. The Englishman was the subject of a bid from Arsenal that Villa rejected Tuesday, according to numerous reports. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano said the Gunners' proposal was worth around £60 million.

Colombian marksman Duran has 12 goals over 29 Villa appearances in all competitions this season but started only seven of those matches. He cost the English club up to £17.75 million to sign from Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in January 2023.

Duran's potential teammates at Al-Nassr include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic. Stefano Piolo, who led AC Milan to the Serie A title in 2022, is the team's head coach.