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Topics: Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League
Jhon Duran is being linked with a surprise move away from Saudi Arabia, just five months after joining Al Nassr – and six Premier League clubs are said to have expressed an interest.
The 21-year-old penned a lucrative five-and-a-half-year contract with Al Nassr in January, after the Saudi Pro League side agreed to pay £64 million for the Colombian striker following a productive spell at Aston Villa.
A number of Premier League clubs were said to be interested at the time, including Arsenal and Chelsea, but the Saudi club came out on top with a package worth £16.7 million per year, which equates to around £46,000-a-day.
Duran has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances for his new club – a decent return all things considered.
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But a report from Al-Riyadh claim the striker has faced issues playing in Saudi that have ‘affected his mental state and technical stability’, and Al Nassr are now exploring the possibility of letting him leave the club on loan.
The publication goes on to suggest that clubs have 'expressed a willingness' to sign the player ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
In addition to the above reports, Al Nassr are open to sanctioning a temporary exit, according to TEAMtalk, who claim West Ham are among six Premier League clubs chasing a move for Duran.
West Ham are thought to view the striker as a potentially 'valuable addition to their attacking ranks' and a player who could add 'energy and goal-scoring instinct' to their squad.
The Hammers failed in their attempts to sign Duran in January, when Aston Villa rejected a bid worth £57 million. Graham Potter, meanwhile, is known to be a big admirer of the player.
As well as West Ham, it is said Wolves and Fulham are also ready to compete for the Colombian alongside three other unnamed Premier League clubs.
West Ham are currently 5/1 with Betfair to sign Duran this summer, while Arsenal are favourites at 4/1.
The Gunners are battling to sign a striker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres being strongly linked with a move to North London.
Duran, on the other hand, could prove to be a cheaper option if a loan deal is on the table.
Tottenham are also in the mix to sign the player at 7/1 alongside Borussia Dortmund [10/1], Manchester United [16/1] and Paris Saint-Germain [18/1].
Thoughts on Duran's future? Let us know in the comments.