Jhon Duran Closing In on Benfica Loan as Al-Nassr Spell Ends
Jhon Duran is nearing a loan move to Benfica, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, which reports Al-Nassr are willing to co-fund the deal and cover the bulk of his wages to get it done. A medical in Lisbon is expected in the coming days.
The move would end an underwhelming spell in Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr signed the Colombian forward from Aston Villa for €77 million in January 2025 on a contract worth around €20 million a year, but he has made just 18 appearances across all competitions since. A Bola reports Al-Nassr CEO Jose Semedo gave Duran the go-ahead this week to find a new club.
Duran, 22, has struggled to rebuild momentum since leaving Villa. He had loan spells at Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg that both fell short of expectations, the Zenit stint further complicated by disciplinary issues that saw him left out of the squad. He was not included in Colombia's 2026 World Cup squad, a decision widely tied to that lack of regular football.
If completed, the move puts him into Marco Silva's squad ahead of a Benfica campaign that includes the Champions League league phase. Nothing is signed yet, but the medical booking suggests the two clubs are close to an agreement rather than still negotiating terms.
