Jhon Durán spent two years at Aston Villa before leaving them for Al-Nassr in January.
On January 31st, Aston Villa director Monchi stated the striker’s sale saw the Villans earn close to €85m including variables. He also made clear the move will help the 21-year-old to significantly improve his salary.
The Colombia international’s compatriot, Carlos Bacca, has defended his decision to leave Aston Villa for Al-Nassr at this stage of his career.
Bacca has been speaking to Blu Radio’s Blog Deportivo and Noticias Caracol have relayed his comments.
Durán has scored four goals from three matches and plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.
Bacca previously had spells at Club Brugge, Sevilla, AC Milan and Villarreal in Europe and is currently at Colombian side Atlético Junior. He had an opportunity to secure a move to China when he was at the San Siro.
The 38-year-old didn’t move to China and has now backed Durán for leaving Aston Villa for the Middle East club. He believes the transfer will help the former Villans man to improve his game.
“It was a time when I was doing well at Milan; it wasn’t an easy decision, I wasn’t single, I already had a family. It’s not that, because I know that the question is about Durán; if I were in his place, I would be there tomorrow and I think we all would,” he said.
“Afterwards, we football fans wanted to see him in a more competitive league, the ‘9’ of the national team, but all cases are different.
“I think he is doing well there, he is at a great level, he is playing and learning from the best in the world, he is next to Cristiano Ronaldo and Mané; he is next to great players and the league is growing a lot.”
Durán has made 15 appearances for the national team so far. Bacca insists he would have had discussions with Colombia manager Néstor Lorenzo before moving to Saudi Arabia.
“It’ll [selection] depend on him and his performance, the ‘teacher’ Néstor will surely have consulted him, and he would have asked him about his transfer,” Bacca explained.
“But [if] we are all in this situation and we would all make the same decision as he did, besides he is young, they don’t give that kind of money to a player of that age if he doesn’t have the conditions that Durán has. If I had been like him, I would have taken it.”
