![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 13, 2024; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Al Nassr players Jhon Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate after a Saudi Pro League soccer match at King Abdullah Sports City. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_48,w_3600,h_2025/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/382/01kgshdtg9v50vp29kpp.jpg "[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 13, 2024; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Al Nassr players Jhon Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate after a Saudi Pro League soccer match at King Abdullah Sports City. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images")
In the summer of 2024, Jhon Duran was heavily linked with West Ham United whilst he was at Aston Villa. Duran even crossed his arms in an 'irons' gesture on social media. This shows that the player was keen on the move. However, it did not come to fruition.
Duran stayed with Villa and then scored the winner against the Hammers. This was not his only notable Villa goal of the 2024/25 campaign, as he also netted a wonder-goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Despite his impressive form for Villa, Duran often still played second fiddle to Ollie Watkins. This clearly frustrated the Colombian, and he then joined Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
It was a shame to see a player with so much potential leave European soccer so early. However, the finances of Saudi Arabia and the prospect of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo would have been a huge draw.
West Ham United have struggled to find a top center-forward
Instead of Duran, West Ham signed Niclas Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund in 2024. He was another flop who somehow managed to join AC Milan on loan in January.
Duran had a good record for Al-Nassr, scoring eight goals in 13 Saudi Pro League games. However, he was then loaned out to Fenerbahce, where he scored three times with three assists in 10 Super Lig matches.
The player is now set for another transfer. Fabrizio Romano posted on X: "Durán to Zenit St Petersburg, here we go! Documents completed now between the clubs. Fenerbahçe break loan from Al Nassr, new loan move from Al Nassr to Zenit for Durán. Lille was never close as option, Durán will join on straight loan — NO buy option clause."
Duran is only 22, and Zenit will be the sixth club of his career. He is becoming a journeyman, and his career may never get back on track. His form for Villa showed that he can cut it at the highest level in Europe, but he has made some very bad career choices so far.
The player's situation is becoming similar to that of former West Ham United player Ravel Morrison. There was no doubting Morrison's ability. However, he never settled anywhere. There was a stint under Sam Allardyce at West Ham where the midfielder was unplayable. However, it was short-lived, and he went on to play for multiple clubs across the world and is now with Arabian Falcons in the UAE Second Division League.