When Jhon Duran made headlines in January with his big-money move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, many saw it as a bold next step for a rising star.
At just 21, leaving Aston Villa for a reported £64.5 million deal marked a shift in the Saudi Pro League’s ambitions—from luring in global icons at the end of their careers to attracting young, top-tier talent.
But just a few months in, things don’t seem to be going as planned.
Mental Health Concerns Reportedly Raising Red Flags
According to reports coming out of Saudi Arabia, Duran’s future at Al-Nassr is already uncertain.
Local outlet Arriyadiyah has claimed that the club might consider loaning him out due to personal issues affecting both his mental health and performance on the pitch.
While no specific details have been made public, the report mentions that these issues have clouded his mindset and technical consistency.
Several clubs are said to be monitoring the situation closely, in case Al-Nassr opens the door for a short-term exit.
A Complicated Living Arrangement from the Start
Behind the scenes, it seems Duran’s move to Saudi Arabia wasn’t as straightforward as fans may have thought.
When he first joined the club, The Sun reported that he made it clear he preferred to live in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia.
The reason? He wanted to live with his girlfriend, Angela Capella—something Saudi law doesn’t permit outside of marriage.
Cohabitation without a marriage contract is strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia under Islamic law, though high-profile exceptions like Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez have reportedly been allowed to bypass this rule.
It’s worth noting that other foreign stars—like Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson—also opted to live in Bahrain during their time with Saudi clubs.
If True, It’s a Tough Commute
If Duran did settle in Bahrain, that choice could be contributing to his struggles.
Living in Bahrain while playing in Riyadh means a 600-mile round trip for every match and training session—roughly an 80-minute flight each way.
That’s a major commute even for a superstar athlete, let alone someone trying to find rhythm in a new league.
Al-Nassr, however, strongly denied these reports.
In a statement, the club brushed off the Bahrain claim, saying: “We’ve all heard of fake news, but this is a particularly amusing one.
Jhon loves Riyadh. He lives close to the club and the stadium. He’s family here.”
A Dream Move Starting to Sour?
When Duran first arrived and pulled on the iconic yellow Al-Nassr kit, he seemed thrilled.
“I grew up watching Al-Nassr. I’ve always wanted to play for them,” he said proudly at his unveiling.
On paper, his record isn’t bad either—he scored 12 goals in just 18 matches following his January arrival, adding to the 12 he already had from the first half of the season with Aston Villa.
But even a decent goal tally can’t quiet growing doubts if off-pitch issues begin to overshadow the football.
Al-Nassr Still Chasing Success, with Ronaldo Staying Put
Al-Nassr didn’t manage to secure the title this season, finishing 13 points behind Al-Ittihad.
Despite the team’s underwhelming finish, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that he’s not going anywhere.
This comes after some confusion, thanks to a strange comment by FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggesting Ronaldo would feature in the Club World Cup—a tournament Al-Nassr isn’t even part of this year.
Ronaldo quickly shut down the speculation, saying simply: “Future? It won’t change anything. Al-Nassr, yes.”
What’s Next for Duran?
With growing questions around Duran’s wellbeing, a tough living situation, and uncertainty about whether he can settle fully into life and football in Saudi Arabia, his short time at Al-Nassr could be heading for a pause—if not an early exit.
Whether a loan move will give him the reset he needs, or if the Saudi dream was too much too soon, remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: the story of Jhon Duran in the Middle East is far from over.