Benfica open talks to sign Jhon Duran after he was offered to Barcelona | OneFootball

Benfica have opened talks with Al-Nassr to sign striker Jhon Duran this summer, according to Record.

The Eagles have allowed Marcos Leonardo to leave for Ajax and need someone to provide competition for Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic.

Benfica are now trying to sign the Colombian and have reportedly had eyes on him for some time.

Duran caught the eye at Aston Villa before an ill-advised move to Saudi Arabia, where he made an explosive start but ultimately tailed off.

He also struggled to impose himself during loan spells at Fenerbahce and Zenit Saint Petersburg. 

Still, at 22, he is quite the prospect, and Benfica are gambling that they can help him return to his best level. 

He can explode into the fearsome striker many expect him to become, perhaps helping Benfica to wrestle the Primeira Liga crown back from rivals FC Porto.

Interestingly, reports from Spain claim Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Duran as he looks to leave the Middle East. He is reportedly available on loan with an option to buy.

However, it appears Benfica are proceeding with talks. 

Duran needs to fix up

The talent has never been in doubt.

Duran possesses the pace, power and finishing ability to develop into one of Europe’s most feared centre-forwards, but raw ability alone will not guarantee success. 

Reports questioning his attitude in training have followed him throughout his career, while Chelsea were previously credited with cooling their interest due to concerns about his professionalism. 

Whether entirely fair or not, those stories have become part of his reputation. There is still plenty of time to rewrite the narrative, but the responsibility now lies with Duran. 

If he commits fully, embraces coaching and approaches every training session with the right mentality, Benfica could unlock a world-class striker. 

If not, another opportunity may simply pass him by.