Simon Jordan has slammed Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran for his resolution to maneuver to the Saudi Professional League on the age of 21.
Former Crystal Palace proprietor and talkSPORT host Jordan mentioned that he has ‘little or no respect’ for the younger expertise transferring to Saudi giants Al Nassr.
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Duran is about for a medical with Al Nassr on Thursday forward of finishing a £64million transfer from Aston Villa, the place he has performed second-fiddle to Ollie Watkins.
Villa reached an settlement with the Saudi giants to promote Duran for an preliminary of charge of €77million (£64.5m), which may rise to €90m (£75m) with potential add-ons.
Villa purchased Duran in 2023 for lower than £18m from MLS aspect Chicago Hearth, the place he moved from Colombian outfit Envigado in 2019.
The Colombian teen scored simply 5 Premier League objectives final season however his efforts this marketing campaign have attracted quite a few eyes.
This season, Duran has scored 12 objectives throughout all competitions, together with 3 times within the Champions League and 7 within the English top-flight.
“I’ve little or no respect for this participant going to Saudi, I do not. At 21 years of age, this isn’t a brilliant aggressive league” Jordan mentioned.
“This isn’t a world stage league, and I do not know why a 21 yr previous will likely be going there in addition to one factor and one factor solely, cash.”
“You do not see many paupers at top-level soccer. You do not go into soccer considering that in the end you are gonna be something apart from profitable, and should you go to Saudi, it is since you’re going for one purpose and one purpose solely, for cash.
“At 21 years of age, I believe that is a disgrace as a result of he isn’t going into aggressive soccer.
“I hope that he reaps the whirlwind for that in soccer phrases. He will not reap the whirlwind for it economically.
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“How do you develop within the substandard league? How do you get higher? The way in which you get higher in most sports activities is by enjoying with folks which can be higher than you, as a result of it makes you drag your customary up.
“I believe personally it is disappointing for a gifted 21-year-old participant that clearly folks assume extremely of expertise sensible.
“There could be a query about temperament and perspective and outlook and entitlement, however you’ve got acquired a supervisor that is rotating him, enjoying him.
“When he will get a chance, he takes it, he got here out the aspect as a result of he is injured, he’ll get one other alternative once more and he will Saudi for cash.
“This participant’s all about cash and never in regards to the sport. This participant must be enjoying in elite soccer and creating his profession if he desires to be an elite footballer.
“If he desires to be an elite financial institution steadiness, honest play to him” Jordan mentioned.
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talkSPORT understands Duran will financial institution €15m (roughly £12.5m) a yr – nearly £250,000 per week.
The deal will certainly finish Arsenal’s hopes of signing Ollie Watkins, who was the topic of a £60m bid from the Gunners on Wednesday.
January has seen each Watkins and Duran linked with quite a few sides.
West Ham supplied £57m for the 21-year-old, however plainly the lure of the Saudi Professional League’s deep pockets has acquired the higher of Duran.