An Expensive Mistake: How €77 Million Produced No Trophies
In January, Al-Nassr hit the headlines with another blockbuster move: 21-year-old Colombian Jon Duran cost the Saudis €77 million plus another €13 million in add-ons. In Riyadh they believed the rapid forward would create a dream duo with Cristiano Ronaldo and guide the team to gold. Reality was far more prosaic: the season finished without a trophy, and the costly newcomer is already preparing to move on.
Goals Without Team Play
At first glance Duran’s numbers look solid: eight goals in 13 Pro League matches and four strikes in five Asian Champions League games. Yet in deeper metrics—pressing, sprint volume, involvement in build-up—the striker looked ordinary. Okko commentator Denis Alhazov summed it up: “Jon only accelerates for the paycheque, won’t put his body in, shies away from duels.” That reputation quickly overshadowed his goal bonuses.
Contract Trap: Why Even €392 Thousand a Week Couldn’t Keep Him
Duran’s deal with Al-Nassr runs until the summer of 2030, and his weekly salary tops €392 thousand—more than €8 million in just half a year. But the glittering contract turned into a “golden cage.” British tabloids reported that Saudi law requires a marriage certificate to rent a home, while the forward’s partner refused to tie the knot. The Colombian even considered living in more liberal Bahrain and flying in for training.
Personal Motives and Football Ambitions
Several factors accelerated Jon’s decision to quit the Middle East:
- According to Al Riyadiyah, family issues affected the player’s mindset and, in turn, his form.
- German insider Florian Plettenberg reports that Duran wants to return to Europe, where adaptation is easier and the showcase for top clubs brighter.
- Another theory links his exit to Ronaldo’s recent extension through 2027 on €200 million a season—after that even the sheikhs may tighten their belts.
Just then José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe appeared on the horizon. The Portuguese coach spoke to the forward directly, promising him the role of a “mobile No. 9” in a new attacking project.
How Fener Are Structuring the Deal
Istanbul sporting director Mario Branco is negotiating with the player’s family in Colombia, Foot Mercato reports. The minimum goal is to match the Saudi wage, ideally to exceed it. The likely model: a slightly lower base salary than now but hefty bonuses for goals, assists, and European results. Insider Fabrizio Romano says, “All parties are confident a green light is coming soon.”
Pro League Failures: Neymar, Duran and Other Lessons
The Duran case offers fresh ammunition to critics of the Saudi project. Only Neymar cost more—€90 million and more commercials than matches. In the shadow of Ronaldo’s astronomical contract even the kingdom’s richest clubs are re-checking the books; the next transfer windows could be far more cautious.
Birmingham’s Profit: How Aston Villa Balanced the Books
For Villa the January sale was a jackpot. Sporting director Monchi had been juggling the accounts for Financial Fair Play—€77 million wiped the slate clean in an instant. The striker’s temperament had shown long before: deleting club mentions from social media, flashing West Ham fans’ gestures on a live stream, complaining about life behind Ollie Watkins. The Birmingham side demanded £40 million, rejected Chelsea and West Ham—then waited for an offer they couldn’t refuse.
From Milan Dreams to Istanbul Nights
Duran tried to force a move last winter when Milan showed interest. Unai Emery quelled the revolt with a start in an FA Cup match, and this season began brightly: four goals in the first five Premier League rounds and a thunderous strike against Bayern in the Champions League. The coach even tipped the Colombian for a future short-list of the world’s best forwards. Yet by December the tempo faded, and Al-Nassr’s oil dollars delivered the final blow. Now the script is repeating—Milan and Birmingham replaced by Istanbul on the map.
What Each Side Gets
- Fenerbahçe — an explosive counter-attacking striker for Mourinho and a marketing asset in the Asian market.
- Duran — a chance to rehabilitate in Europe, keep a high income, and work with a legendary coach.
- Al-Nassr — breathing room in the wage bill and a painful reminder that a big fee doesn’t guarantee motivation.
- Aston Villa are already in profit and could earn a sell-on percentage from any future deal.
Outlook
If the contract is signed before the summer window closes, Jon Duran could debut as early as August in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers—an ideal stage to prove the issue was environment, not level. For the Saudi Pro League this story is a reminder: building a strong competition is not enough—you must also persuade players to fight for it with the same passion they have for their bank accounts.
