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Jose Mourinho link-up
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Jhon Durán is leaving Al-Nassr just six months after joining the Saudi Pro League club for €77 million in January. After a scintillating start to the 2024/25 season for Aston Villa, Durán opted for the riches on offer in the Middle East and linked up with Cristiano Ronaldo. But despite scoring 12 goals in 18 games for Al-Nassr, Duran is set to depart and join Fenerbahce.
The 21-year-old has already landed in Türkiye and he will join the Istanbul club on an initial one-year loan deal. Durán has reportedly been involved in bust-ups at Al-Nassr during another trophyless season for the club and they’ve decided to allow him to leave. Durán will be tasked with spearheading Jose Mourinho’s attack as Fenerbahce aim to wrestle the Süper Lig title back from fierce rivals Galatasaray.
Jhon Duran: The new Super Lig MVP
Durán will become the most valuable player in the Süper Lig when he completes his move to Fenerbahce. The Colombian’s current market value is €35 million, which eclipses current MVP, Leroy Sané at €32m. Sane also moved to Türkiye this summer and tax laws in the country mean clubs can offer very lucrative salaries to players. Premier League clubs were interested in Durán but a return to England was effectively ruled out due to tax regulations.
As the graphic above illustrates, Youssef En-Nesyri is currently Fernerbahce’s most valuable player with Galatasaray duo Gabirel Sara and Barış Alper Yılmaz completing the top five. On Durán's move to Fenerbahce, Lara Karacan, Super Lig expert at Transfermarkt said: "Jhon Durán’s move to Fenerbahçe is widely regarded in Turkey as a major signing. Club president Ali Koç has been under pressure following another missed league title and had promised to bring in at least four top-level players this summer. Durán appears to be the first of those, with Milan Škriniar also strongly linked, and two more names expected to follow."
Durán will be become the most valuable to join Fenerbahçe in their history and the second-most valuable in Super Lig history, behind Victor Osmihen. But Karacan believes Duran has plenty to prove before being compared to Osimhen. Karacan said: "Comparisons to Osimhen have been made, though arguably they are premature – Osimhen was already a proven striker at the time, whereas Durán is still considered a high-potential talent rather than the finished product. Fans are generally excited and see the transfer as a strong statement of intent. The only real concern is the financial package for a loan deal: Turkish reports suggest a €15 million loan fee, though Al Nassr will cover Durán’s full salary. Given his age and development stage, there is some uncertainty as to whether he can deliver immediately, but the ambition behind the move is clear."
