Manchester United Decline Offer to Sign Striker Who Left Premier League to Play Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Jhon Duran from Al Nassr on loan, talkSPORT understands.

Duran wanted his full Saudi salary covered during any loan spell, believed to be in excess of £300,000-a-week, as well as an option to buy.

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But United decided not to proceed with any move due to the costs involved.

Duran, who only joined Al Nassr from Aston Villa in January, is set to complete a loan move to Fenerbahce instead.

The Colombian had been heavily linked with a move to West Ham United last summer and even made the Hammers gesture during an Instagram live video.

However, he remained at Villa Park and became a cult hero thanks to his late winners.

One of those goals helped Villa to a famous 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in their first Champions League tie at home last term.

He ultimately finished with 13 goals from 29 appearances across all competitions for the Villans before he joined Al Nassr.

Duran began his time in Saudi Arabia brightly with four goals in his first two league games.

However, the Colombian talent went on to score only four more times in his next 11 league appearances.

In total, Duran finished the 2024/25 season with 24 goals from 47 games along with two red cards, one of which was shrouded in controversy and led to a 3-0 loss for Villa away to Newcastle.

Duran’s imminent departure to Turkey means Al Nassr teammate Cristiano Ronaldo will have a new strike partner.

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The Colombian previously remarked playing alongside the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was akin to ‘playing FIFA career mode’.

Unlike Duran, Ronaldo won’t be departing the Middle East any time soon.

The 40-year-old recently inked a new two-year deal worth close to £500m, which will take him through to the end of the 2026/27 season.

As part of the deal, Ronaldo will also gain an equity stake in the team.

In terms of Duran’s replacement, one name set to feature prominently is Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.

The Nigerian international came close to joining in January, but Al Nassr ultimately opted to sign Duran instead.

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However, with Duran’s pending exit, it will open up a spot among Al Nassr’s overseas contingent.

Saudi Pro League rules stipulate clubs are limited to eight overseas players over the age of 21, with Duran becoming Al Nassr’s eighth upon signing.

That means the door will be open for Al Nassr to pursue a move for Boniface, who finished with 11 goals from 27 games last term.