John Durán’s £7,000,000 Saudi Stint — Is He the Smartest Man in Football?

At just 21 years old, John Durán has already achieved what many professionals spend an entire career chasing: global exposure, top-flight football and, perhaps most notably, serious financial security. The Colombian striker’s rapid journey through Major League Soccer, the Premier League, and now the Saudi Pro League hasn’t just been about goals — it’s been about smart choices. With millions already in the bank and three lucrative leagues on his résumé before most players hit their prime, Durán is forcing the football world to ask: is this the blueprint of a modern footballer… or a gamble that could stall a promising career?

Earnings Breakdown: MLS → Premier League → Saudi League

Durán’s career began in earnest with the Chicago Fire in MLS in 2022, where he earned a relatively modest salary as part of the league’s U22 Initiative, reportedly amounting to around £150,000. While this figure doesn’t grab headlines, the real financial coup came in the form of the transfer fee when he left for Aston Villa. Chicago ultimately profited to the tune of approximately £24.5 million, thanks to a transfer deal worth up to $30.7 million, which included add-ons and a sizeable sell-on clause.

At Aston Villa, Durán's weekly wage was believed to be around £75,000, equating to roughly £3.9 million per year. Over two seasons, that gave him total earnings of around £7.8 million, before taxes. On the pitch, he delivered a return of 20 goals across 78 appearances in all competitions, with seven of those strikes coming in the first half of the 2024/25 Premier League season, and 12 across all matches the year prior. His goals weren’t just numbers either — he picked up “Goal of the Month” honours for a thunderous half-volley against Crystal Palace and chipped in with important Champions League contributions.

In January 2025, he made headlines once again as Al-Nassr secured his services for a staggering £64 million transfer fee. His contract in Saudi Arabia reportedly pays him €392,500 per week, which is just over £334,000 weekly, putting him on course to earn about £17.4 million per year. Just six months into his stint, Durán had already earned around £6.3 million, effectively making over £46,000 per day.

In summary, Durán has gone from modest earnings in MLS to multi-million-pound contracts in both England and Saudi Arabia. He earned less than a quarter-million pounds in the United States, approximately £7.8 million during his time with Aston Villa, and has already brought in over £6 million within a few months in the Middle East, with the potential to rake in tens of millions more if he remains there for a few seasons.

BREAKING: Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has COMPLETED his Al Nassr medical and is set to fly to Saudi Arabia 🚨

Al Nassr are understood to be paying just over £64m (€77m) plus bonuses for the 21-year-old 💸 pic.twitter.com/EDAsmskkG8

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 30, 2025

On‑Pitch Output vs. Earnings

Durán’s footballing output shows that his lucrative moves haven't necessarily come at the expense of productivity. In MLS, he made 28 appearances, scoring eight goals and adding six assists — a strong return for a teenager adapting to professional football abroad. His form caught the attention of Aston Villa, who were quick to secure his services.

During his Premier League spell, Durán made 78 appearances across all competitions (55 of those in the league), scoring 20 goals in total. Notably, he struck seven times in 20 league games in the first half of the 2024/25 season and added three Champions League goals in that time, proving he could handle the pressure at the highest level.

In Saudi Arabia, his goal-scoring form has remained sharp. He has netted eight times in 13 league matches, and added four more in the AFC Champions League, giving him 12 goals in just 18 games. For all the questions surrounding the competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League, Durán has delivered exactly what was expected in front of goal.

Given the earnings attached to each of these spells, the contrast is stark. His most modest on-field contributions came in MLS, yet that move ultimately enabled Chicago to cash in massively. At Villa, his wages matched the difficulty of the league, and his goal return aligned with the club’s expectations. In Saudi Arabia, the money has skyrocketed — yet Durán continues to produce at a high level, at least statistically.

Jhon Duran with an incredible solo goal from midfield to make it 3-1 Al Nassr in the closing minutes of the game 🤯

A brace for him and his fourth goal in three games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/25ocuOySWY

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 13, 2025

Smart Career Planning or Stall in Development?

For many observers, this appears to be a smart play. Durán has prioritised long-term financial security, setting himself up for life before his 22nd birthday. As some fans put it, “a couple of years at Saudi is enough to give him money that'll secure his future.” His career thus far could be viewed as a template for how players — especially from less privileged backgrounds — can balance on-field aspirations with off-field security.

However, there’s another side to the conversation. Critics argue that by leaving a Champions League-level club in Aston Villa, Durán may risk stagnation. The Saudi Pro League lacks the tactical intensity, competitive demands and global spotlight that leagues like the Premier League or La Liga offer. As one fan pointed out, “he’ll earn a bucket load but waste those two years.” For a player still developing, those are potentially pivotal years.

Jhon Durán will be earning £320,000 PER WEEK at Al Nassr 🤑

Eye watering 🥲 pic.twitter.com/RZsFaceTK8

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 31, 2025

Is He Pioneering a New Mindset?

Durán might represent a new breed of modern footballers: those who are open to chasing financial security early in their careers, rather than waiting until the back end of their prime years to make big-money moves. With the financial explosion in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and beyond, younger stars now see these leagues not just as end-of-career retirement plans, but as genuine, strategic pitstops.

Importantly, Durán hasn’t entirely sacrificed his footballing ambitions. His consistent goal-scoring, even after a drastic change in environment, shows he hasn’t taken his foot off the gas. Furthermore, an early loan move back to Europe — specifically to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe —suggests both Durán and his representatives are looking to keep a foot in the door of elite competition. With Duran being a top target for Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho, the club have agreed to cover the full cost of the strikers salary whilst he's on loan to the Turkish side.

Still, there’s a fine line. If he stays away from top-tier football for too long, his technical and tactical development could stall. Worse yet, his stock could plummet in the eyes of Europe’s elite clubs, who may view him as a player who cashed in early rather than fully proving himself.

🚨 Official: Jhon Durán leaves Al Nassr and joins Fenerbahçe on one year loan deal! 🔵🟡🇹🇷

Fenerbahçe will cover his salary as planned, Durán was top target for José Mourinho and director Devin Özek. pic.twitter.com/mFzOxhPFUo

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2025

Conclusion

John Durán’s career so far is a fascinating mix of footballing talent, smart financial planning and bold decision-making. At just 21, he has already earned tens of millions of pounds and played for clubs on three different continents, each in highly visible and financially rewarding environments.

From a financial perspective, his decisions are undeniably savvy. He has secured generational wealth before many of his peers have made their top-flight debuts. On the pitch, his numbers are solid across every league he’s played in.

The question that remains is whether this trajectory will continue to support both his wallet and his growth as a footballer. If Durán can balance the financial gains with continued development and a timely return to Europe’s elite, he may not just be one of the smartest men in football—he could be one of its most successful too. But if comfort and cash take precedence, his story may become one of what could have been. For now, the choice — and the spotlight — is firmly his.