Cristiano Ronaldo turns 40 in less than two weeks. And while he is showing no signs of retirement any time soon, his priority appears to be hitting the almighty 1000-goal mark before that day comes.
As at January 24, 2025, he’s on 919. Those remaining 81 could mostly come at his current employers, Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr. However the club appear to be preparing a succession plan for life after the all-time great either leaves or hangs up the boots.
One name being linked to them this week is Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. The 21-year-old Colombian is understandably in high demand, with the Villains’ Premier League rivals West Ham United already named as courting his services.
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And The Telegraph are now reporting that Saudi Arabia is another viable destination for Duran, if he were to leave Villa Park.
Jhon Duran contract, transfer fee, interested clubs
Duran signed a new deal at AVFC very recently, moving him up to a reported £75,000 a week in wages. As a result, it’ll take a large fee to pry him away this month.
However, The Telegraph have it on good authority that Al-Nassr could do exactly that, for around £80 million.
Would Duran replace Ronaldo, or play alongside him?
If Al-Nassr splash the cash and agree a deal in the January window, we’d almost definitely see the two play alongside one another for a while, at first.
In the medium and long term, Ronaldo may choose to stay at the club until he’s finished his quest for 1000 goals, or he may seek out a new challenge that can help him get there in his 40s.
Needless to say, this is a long-term succession plan from the club, if it comes true. There would certainly be some overlap before a ‘succession’, and there are no known plans to replace CR7 outright, 40th birthday or not.
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