Jhon Duran faces DAILY 600-mile commute after €77m Saudi transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 5 Feb 2025 09:27 CST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Jhon Duran, Al-Nassr — © IMAGO

New Al-Nassr superstar Jhon Duran is set for a daily 600-mile roundtrip after deciding that he wants to live in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia.

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The Colombian was at the heart of one of the biggest transfer sagas of the January window. At Aston Villa, Duran was unable to dislodge Ollie Watkins as Unai Emery's starting striker and grew increasingly frustrated with his role.

Aston Villa were determined to keep him, but the fact that he scored regularly despite his limited minutes made him a sought-after commodity. When Al-Nassr came calling and the prospect of a monumental Saudi payday emerged, the Birmingham club softened their stance and ultimately agreed to sell.

The 21-year-old joined the Riyadh-based club for an initial €77 million, although that fee is thought to be able to rise as high as €90m. Duran is believed to be on a tax-free annual salary of €20m.

Duran's 600-mile commute

Despite likely never experiencing financial troubles ever again, Duran's time Al-Nassr won't entirely be a cakewalk. The Sun claims that the young striker has decided to make a daily 600-mile commute to avoid living in Saudi Arabia.

Instead of basing themselves in Riyadh, Duran and his girlfriend have moved to Bahrain due to 'confusion' over whether they would be allowed to live together in Saudi Arabia.

Co-habitation of unmarried couples is frowned upon under Islamic law, although the rule is not always enforced. Teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez, who have hinted that they are married but never officially confirmed it, live together in Riyadh.

Duran will thus have to make a 600-mile (1000-kilometre) or 2-hour-and-40-minute roundtrip from Bahrain to Riyadh by plane every day. The Colombian made his Al-Nassr debut in a 4-0 ACL Champions League win over Al Wasl on Monday but did not get on the scoresheet.