Could Jhon Durán Be Liverpool’s Smart Alternative to Alexander Isak? | OneFootball

Jhon Durán Could Be the Isak Alternative

With Liverpool continuing to rebuild their attacking options under Arne Slot, the dream of landing Alexander Isak lingers — but pragmatism must always exist alongside ambition, as such a deal is riddled with complications. While the Swedish striker remains the club’s top-tier target to replace the Napoli-bound Darwin Núñez, financial realities and Newcastle’s reluctance to part with their crown jewel may force Liverpool to explore backup options, with various names mentioned throughout these summer months. One name quietly surfacing on the radar is Jhon Durán — the Colombian forward now plying his trade at Al Nassr, though seemingly available for transfer just months after his sensational move from Aston Villa.

It’s not the fairy-tale signing many Reds are craving, but it might be a smart one. Especially when the dominoes begin to fall and Liverpool looks to replace power and chaos with a more balanced striker profile. Though my initial thoughts would prefer to see him as the secondary striker working alongside Isak, the talent means he could promote himself to the top spot.

From Birmingham to Riyadh — and Perhaps Back to Europe

Durán’s career has been anything but linear. A raw but physically gifted striker, he joined Aston Villa in 2023 with promise and left just a year later for Al Nassr as Unai Emery sought more refined attacking options. The preference to start Ollie Watkins did not sit well with the ambitious attacker, much like when Daniel Sturridge became frustrated at Chelsea. But the Saudi stint has not solidified into permanence, and the sense is that Al Nassr — now chasing Luis Díaz to replace a soon-to-depart forward — may be open to offloading Durán quickly if the right offer emerges.

That’s where Liverpool could step in.

Durán, 21, brings pace, strength, and vertical threat to all suitors. He thrives when running into space, bullies defenders, and offers the kind of physical chaos that Darwin Núñez provided — but with a slightly lower technical ceiling and arguably better short-term decision-making. While he lacks the elite finesse of Isak, he offers Slot a mobile and aggressive forward who could be coached into a more refined piece. The Colombian doesn’t play with extreme ego, and that matters in a system designed to spotlight Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz. The ferocious instrument could be the ideal centre piece between two magical conductors.

Crucially, Durán’s wages and transfer fee would represent a more palatable financial outlay than Isak’s projected £100m+ deal, especially in a summer where Liverpool are restructuring across multiple positions.

Slot Needs a Focal Point — Not Just a Name

The obsession with “names” is understandable, especially after securing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool fans, still drunk on the success of Michael Edwards’ earlier masterstrokes, are primed for an elite rebuild that will further service a title-hungry head coach, Arne Slot. Isak fits that bill and is rightly the top summer target. But in truth, what Slot needs is not just a name — he needs a striker who binds together a system. If Isak is unattainable, Durán at least ticks some key tactical boxes: aggression in the press, ability to stretch defences, and a willingness to play off the shoulder rather than demand the ball to feet. The versatile skill set should not be dismissed without some form of enquiry.

He’s not polished, but neither was Darwin Núñez — and Slot has shown a preference for strikers who complement rather than dominate in their role. With Wirtz as the new creative hub and Salah continuing to produce world-class goal contributions, the central forward may be more facilitator than finisher. In that mould, Durán can work. He’s unlikely to lead the line in a 60-game season, but as part of a hybrid forward unit that rotates and adapts, he brings valuable traits and is now available for transfer.

Timing, Value, and the Edwards Factor

Jhon Durán isn’t the first name on any wishlist, with the fanbase likely to question the personality of the young man. But Liverpool rarely operates on surface value alone. If Newcastle dig in over Isak and financial levers need to be pulled elsewhere, don’t rule out Edwards pivoting toward a low-risk, high-upside asset like Durán. Especially if the price is reduced due to Al Nassr’s desire to land Luis Díaz. A deal is there to be made and the Saudi Pro League club are clearly all in on the Reds’ wiry Colombian.

Duran wouldn’t arrive as a saviour, but as a cog — a piece who could develop under elite coaching and provide cover, presence, and purpose. Liverpool doesn’t need another Hollywood name this summer, despite the fanbase’s desire to build the Merseyside version of the Harlem Globetrotters. The club requires function, value, and alignment. If Durán is what Slot thinks he can mould, the move may make far more sense than it appears at first glance.