Striker Jhon Duran left Aston Villa for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr on deadline day in the kingdom in a deal worth up to $80 million.
Duran had grown frustrated at not being able to break into Villa's team on a regular basis despite a series of impressive substitute appearances. The 21-year-old Colombian scored the winner in their memorable Champions League victory against Bayern Munich earlier this season but was behind England forward Ollie Watkins in the pecking order at Villa Park.
West Ham saw a series of bids rejected for the promising striker before Al Nassr came in for him on Friday and met Villa's asking price.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al Nassr for an undisclosed fee,” the Premier League club said in a statement.
“The striker moves to Saudi Arabia having scored 12 goals for Villa this term, including the winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career.”
Earlier in the week, Nassr had agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for their striker Victor Boniface only to turn their attentions to Duran. The Riyadh club had also explored a deal for Liverpool's Darwin Nunez but received little encouragement from the Premier League leaders.
Duran will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in the Al Nassr attack. He joined Villa from Chicago Fire for $20m in January 2023, scoring 20 goals in 78 appearances, but making just seven league starts.
That move was the biggest deal of the winter window in the kingdom, but could have been eclipsed by a second swoop by Nassr if reports of their interest in Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma are to be believed.
Social media transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported that Nassr saw a bid worth up to $100m for the Japan international turned down by the Premier League club.
There were also a couple of significant departures at Nassr with midfielder Seko Fofana recalled from loan at Al Ettifaq and offloaded to Rennes for $20m. Anderson Talisca, who scored 77 goals in 110 games for the club since 2021, joined Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce for an undisclosed fee.
Al Ahli go big to land Porto star
The second biggest deal of deadline day saw the Brazilian forward Galeno leave Porto to join Al Ahli.
The 27-year-old winger enjoyed two spells with Porto, the second lasting for four seasons and bringing two league titles.
This season he has eight goals in 18 league games, persuading Ahli to pay up his $52m release clause and add him to a squad already featuring Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney.
Al Ahli also concluded a $10m deal for PSV Eindhoven's Belgian left back Matteo Dams, with the 21-year-old making his debut in Thursday's 2-0 win at Al Orobah.
Allan Saint-Maximin, Ahli's out of favour French winger, is set to return early from his loan at Fenerbahce and is wanted by Serie A title challengers Napoli.
Hilal look to the future after Neymar's exit
Al Hilal's decision to cut their losses on Neymar and allow him to rejoin boyhood club Santos on a free transfer was perhaps the biggest story of the window, but the Saudi champions immediately had a look at the future in their 4-0 win over Al Okhdood.
Hilal beat a number of European clubs including Bournemouth, Lens and Olympiacos to the signing of highly rated Vitoria Guimaraes winger Kaio Cesar this month.
The 20-year-old bagged four goals and seven assists in 31 games in Portugal to attract the attention of scouts everywhere before sealing a $10m move to the Riyadh club.
It took him only four minutes to show what he will bring to the side as he notched a debut goal in Hilal's victory on Friday night.
Modest business from Ittihad while Neom push on
Al Ittihad, who can draw level with Hilal at the top of the table if they beat Al Kholood on Saturday night, have been quiet but made a forward-thinking addition in the shape of Unai Hernandez.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder joins from Barcelona's youth ranks and is considered a prospect for the future.
Elsewhere, Al Shabab signed up Ukraine international goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan from Dynamo Kiev for $8m and Vasco De Gama left back Leandrinho for $2.5m.
First Division leaders Neom SC, who hope to seal promotion to the SPL, made a statement signing as they landed former West Ham and Brentford winger Said Benrahma on loan from Lyon.
The move will be made permanent for around $15m should the club clinch promotion to the top flight.
