Jhon Durán close to Benfica loan despite worrying 2026 goal return | OneFootball

Benfica are very close to securing Jhon Durán on loan, despite the striker having scored only two goals in 2026. According to Glorioso 1904, the 22-year-old Colombia international has been a long-term target after an attempt in 2023.

Both goals came for Zenit during a second-half-of-season loan, where he played nine matches and endured disciplinary issues, far from the form that first took him to Europe.

Before that he impressed at Aston Villa after arriving from Chicago Fire in January 2023, scoring 20 in 78. That return prompted Al Nassr to invest 77 million euros in January 2025. He signed until 2030 on an annual salary of around 20 million euros, but the stint fell short despite 12 goals in 18 games.

Last season he was loaned to Fenerbahçe, working with Mário Branco, now Benfica’s general director, and scored five in 21 appearances. Still unconvinced in Türkiye, he departed again on loan to Zenit, where he was unable to restart his career.

Benfica now believe they can restore Durán to his best, having set aside Mauro Icardi. Out of Al Nassr’s plans and omitted from Colombia’s World Cup squad, the forward views Marco Silva’s side as an ideal platform to regain prominence.

Source: Glorioso 1904