Exclusive: Former Aston Villa Great "Saddened" By Jhon Durán's Saudi Cash Grab

Former Aston Villa forward Garry Thompson was “disappointed” by Jhon Durán’s shock Saudi cash grab. 

The Colombian international joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr when he moved to the club for £64.5million at the end of the transfer window.

Twenty-one-year-old Durán was playing Champions League football, but gave that up for a mega-money contract in the sports-washing country, a move that sparked plenty of debate among fans and even on popular football betting sites, where odds on his next club had shifted rapidly ahead of the deadline.

He has had a dazzling start to life in the Middle East, netting four goals in his first three appearances. 

“I was disappointed when he went to Saudi,” Thompson told SportsBoom.com. 

“Jhon Durán exploded when he came to Aston Villa. He came off the bench few times and showed lots of flashes.”

“I’m disappointed because at his age, it does seem a tad early to be jumping for the Saudi cash.”

“I believe the Saudi cash will be there in five years time. If Jhon Durán becomes half the player people think he’s going to be then that money’s always going to be there for you.”

“It’s a bit sad that he’s gone for the cash straightaway.”

CAN’T JUDGE HIM 

Fans on social media were quick to slam the youngster for selling out so early in his career.

But Thompson stressed you cannot pass judgement until you are put in the same position with the ability to add generational wealth to your family.

He added: “You can’t judge him. We don’t know his background. It’s a situation where you look after your family with generational wealth. He looks after his kids’ kids and all of that so you understand why you would go.”

“But I’d like to think in that situation I’d turn it down, but you never know when a truckload of cash is put in front of you.”

SHOCK MOVE 

Durán was one of the brightest prospects in Europe before he jumped ship to Saudi Arabia. 

Most players who have previously gone to the country have cashed in as a final payday before the end of their careers. 

But the regime in the country wants to entice younger players who are in their prime or entering their best years to enhance the status of their league. 

Durán was behind main man Ollie Watkins in Unai Emery’s plans and was primarily used as an explosive supersub off the bench to finish games. 

“He can potentially become a hell of a player. He hasn’t put all his game together yet,” said Thompson. 

“A lot of players have turned it down because they aren’t prepared to go there yet. Back in the day it was America or China and that would be the payday or pension at the backend of your career.”

“All of a sudden, it’s exploded in Saudi. First of all it was older players, but a couple of younger players are starting to go now.”

“They’re looking to bring younger players over and make their country and league more relevant.”

“I’m surprised younger players are going. They want to make a living for themselves, but also you want to make a name for yourself. You want to be known as a player and then when you’re 28 or 29 and someone hits you over the head with a stack of cash it’s different.”

“You want to play for your country, you want to play for titles and play against the best so you know where you stand.”

“To run off and take the dough now is sad. But you’re only one game away from a potentially career-ending injury.”

“Most players would back themselves and see if they can become a top player in the Premier League. What he’s shown so far, if he can put that together on a regular basis then he could become that player.”

“He showed this season just what he’s about, he’s very good. But, for me, Ollie Watkins is still the man. He leads the line really well.”

“What was happening was Ollie was leading it for 60 or 70 minutes and when they’re tired Jhon Durán was coming on and Villa fans would call it ‘Jhon Durán time’.”