Al Nassr make statement to address wild Jhon Duran rumour
Al Nassr have shut down a rumour about Jhon Duran’s travel plans in no uncertain terms. Duran joined the Saudi Pro League side for £71million in the closing days of the winter transfer window, leaving Aston Villa after an impressive start to the season. Al Nassr have jumped to their new striker’s defenceGetty Given his age, just 21, and pedigree as potentially one of the best strikers in the game, Duran’s step away from the European elite was widely panned, and he then came in for even more criticism. A story began to circulate that due to Saudi laws about unmarried couples, Duran and his girlfriend would be living over the border in Bahrain to avoid any issues. Media reported that this would be a 600 mile commute, but now Al Nassr have responded to deny the viral story. Reposting the story on social media, they wrote: “We all heard about what’s called “fake news”, but this is 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.” Their proclamation seems to have plenty of backing too, given that Duran’s unmarried new teammate Cristiano Ronaldo already lives in Riyadh with his partner Georgina Rodriguez. Duran is reportedly earning five times the salary he was on at Villa, but has since denied that the move was about money. Speaking after his arrival in the Middle East, he said: “I’m happy with this step. Many people speculate, but only my family, my agent, and I know the reasons behind my decision. Money doesn’t motivate me. “It’s not a step back, the league is competitive with many stars. People who think otherwise should watch me play on the field.” He was also asked about teaming up with Ronaldo, and added: “I’m thrilled to learn from the best football star in the world. I’m looking forward to growing alongside him.” GettyDuran made his debut for Al Nassr in the Asian Champions League but couldn’t find the scoresheet[/caption] Ronaldo was the first player to trigger the SPL’s spending spree, moving to Saudi after terminating his Manchester United contract at the end of 2022. He joined on a free and the following summer the league ramped things up, spending £728m on new recruits, a figure only bettered by the Premier League worldwide. Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad from Real Madrid, and later Neymar became the league’s biggest transfer when he swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Al Hilal in a £77.6m move, with Duran slotting in behind as the league’s second-most expensive player. Despite that move he barely played before leaving for his first club Santos in January, but Al Hilal still dominated the Pro League thanks to former Fulham man Aleksandar Mitrovic. Ronaldo may be a little miffed that his Nassr side haven’t been able to compete for top honours, but that could all change thanks to the arrival of Duran, whose side are now five points off league leaders Al Ittihad.
Al Nassr have shut down a rumour about Jhon Duran’s travel plans in no uncertain terms.
Duran joined the Saudi Pro League side for £71million in the closing days of the winter transfer window, leaving Aston Villa after an impressive start to the season.
Given his age, just 21, and pedigree as potentially one of the best strikers in the game, Duran’s step away from the European elite was widely panned, and he then came in for even more criticism.
A story began to circulate that due to Saudi laws about unmarried couples, Duran and his girlfriend would be living over the border in Bahrain to avoid any issues.
Media reported that this would be a 600 mile commute, but now Al Nassr have responded to deny the viral story.
Reposting the story on social media, they wrote: “We all heard about what’s called “fake news”, but this is 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.”
Their proclamation seems to have plenty of backing too, given that Duran’s unmarried new teammate Cristiano Ronaldo already lives in Riyadh with his partner Georgina Rodriguez.
Duran is reportedly earning five times the salary he was on at Villa, but has since denied that the move was about money.
Speaking after his arrival in the Middle East, he said: “I’m happy with this step. Many people speculate, but only my family, my agent, and I know the reasons behind my decision. Money doesn’t motivate me.
“It’s not a step back, the league is competitive with many stars. People who think otherwise should watch me play on the field.”
He was also asked about teaming up with Ronaldo, and added: “I’m thrilled to learn from the best football star in the world. I’m looking forward to growing alongside him.”
Ronaldo was the first player to trigger the SPL’s spending spree, moving to Saudi after terminating his Manchester United contract at the end of 2022.
He joined on a free and the following summer the league ramped things up, spending £728m on new recruits, a figure only bettered by the Premier League worldwide.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad from Real Madrid, and later Neymar became the league’s biggest transfer when he swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Al Hilal in a £77.6m move, with Duran slotting in behind as the league’s second-most expensive player.
Despite that move he barely played before leaving for his first club Santos in January, but Al Hilal still dominated the Pro League thanks to former Fulham man Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Ronaldo may be a little miffed that his Nassr side haven’t been able to compete for top honours, but that could all change thanks to the arrival of Duran, whose side are now five points off league leaders Al Ittihad.
