Jhon Duran ‘to join’ Benfica on loan from Al-Nassr | OneFootball

Benfica are close to landing Jhon Duran on loan from Al-Nassr, according to A Bola. The move would mark a return to European football for the 22-year-old Colombia forward.

He would join on a temporary deal at the Estadio da Luz, with Al-Nassr ready to subsidise the vast majority of his sizeable salary to push the move through. He has struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia since leaving Aston Villa.

Al-Nassr CEO Jose Semedo has given him permission this week to seek a new club. The Colombian was signed in January 2025 for €77 million on a contract worth about €20m per year until 2030, yet he has made only 18 appearances across competitions.

Before this potential switch, Duran had short, unsuccessful loans at Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg. Disciplinary problems in Russia saw him frozen out of the first team. He has 17 caps for Colombia but missed their 2026 World Cup squad.

He is due in Lisbon in the coming days for a medical before formally linking up with Marco Silva's squad. He will be integrated into pre-season immediately to accelerate his adaptation, and his arrival is expected to bolster Benfica’s attack in domestic competition and the Champions League league phase.

Source: Goal.com