Jhon Duran ‘could leave Al-Nassr on loan’ less than five months after £65m move from Aston Villa – as ‘personal issues’ for striker are revealed
Jhon Duran’s future in Saudi Arabia is reportedly in doubt amid concerns about his mental wellbeing.
Al-Nassr could look to loan out the 21-year-old because of personal problems which have impacted his ‘mental state and technical ability,’ according to a report in Saudi Arabia.
The striker only joined Al-Nassr in January in a £64.5million move from Aston Villa which underlined the growing magnetism of the Gulf State’s top clubs.
Saudi Arabia had been considered a swansong destination for older players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, but here Al-Nassr had attracted one of Europe’s most dazzling young strikers.
After scoring 12 in the first half of the season for Villa, he has added another dozen in his 18-game stint with Al-Nassr as they raced to third in the Saudi Pro League.
But a report by Arriyadiyah claims ‘doubts are swirling’ over his future with the club due to the issues in his personal life. Multiple suitors are said to be interested.
Jhon Duran’s future with Al-Nassr is in doubt amid reported worries about his ‘mental state’
He signed for the Saudi Arabian side for £65million from Aton Villa back in January
But the 21-year-old (pictured at Villa) could be sent out on loan due to personal problems
It is not clear what those problems are.
When Duran joined Al-Nassr, he told them that he wished to live in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia, according to the Sun.
Duran wanted to ensure he could live with his girlfriend, Angela Capella, with whom he would be banned from living due to Islamic law in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi’s laws strictly prohibit ‘cohabitation without a marriage contract,’ though Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez are apparently exempt.
Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson both lived in Bahrain, which is more liberal, during their stint with Al-Ettifaq.
However, Duran’s insistence on living in the more liberal state – if indeed it has come to fruition – leaves him with a 600-mile round trip commute to Riyadh. That would entail an 80-minute plane ride each way.
Al-Nassr shot down claims of any such daily odyssey, claiming: ‘We all heard about what’s called ‘fake news’, but this is an obnoxiously funny fake news!
‘We are happy that our club matters this much. Jhon loves Riyadh and his house is near the club and the stadium. He is our new family member.’
Duran reportedly asked to live over the border in Bahrain with girlfriend Angela Capella, but Al-Nassr rubbished this claim
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to stay in Saudi after dismissing exit rumours
On his unveiling in the club’s yellow strip, the Colombian said: ‘I grew up watching Al-Nassr. I’ve always wanted to play for them.’
The club, managed by Stefano Pioli, missed out on the title yet again after finishing 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo recently confirmed that he intends to stay and fight for silverware despite reports that he was going to leave.
FIFA preisdent Gianni Infantino had bizarrely fanned speculation that Ronaldo would be playing in the Club World Cup – a competition Al-Nassr are not part of this year, but the Portuguese said: ‘Future? It won’t change anything. Al-Nassr, yes.’
