Jhon Duran set to complete shock transfer after Arsenal and Chelsea links

John Duran looks set to make a surprise return to European football just months after joining Al Nassr from Aston Villa in a £64 million deal.

The Colombian striker left Villa Park in January following a red-hot start to the season.

His explosive cameos off the bench made a serious impact, with Unai Emery even considering whether the 21-year-old could oust Ollie Watkins from the starting line-up.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta facing suspension risk following new Premier League rule change impacting Arsenal

READ MORE: Arsenal transfer target Rodrygo sends three-word Real Madrid message as feelings made clear

Duran walked away from a £75,000-a-week deal in Birmingham to accept a staggering £16.7m-a-year contract in Saudi Arabia. He now earns £46k per day - making over double his previous weekly salary in two days.

And yet, despite a return of 12 goals in 18 appearances alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, Duran looks set to move again.

Turkish giants Fenerbahce submitted an official offer for the forward earlier this week and have now been given the green light to complete the transfer. Fabrizio Romano has reported that "it's definitely over" between Duran and Al Nassr. Now, Jose Mourinho, currently in charge of the Istanbul side, appears to be closing in on the deal.

Chelsea and Arsenal had both shown interest in Duran before his Middle East switch, with the Blues especially keen.

Now that his exit has been approved, they may yet attempt a late hijack - but they'll need to move quickly, as talks with Fenerbahce are already underway.

Arsenal had too kept tabs on Duran, having also been linked with a move for his former Villa teammate Watkins. With Mikel Arteta eyeing attacking reinforcements, Duran’s name was unsurprisingly on their radar.

Speaking last season on rumours linking him with a move away from Villa, Duran said: "Yes, I think there were rumours. As a young man, the head goes to other places.

"But there was always total support from Unai, from Monchi, and above all from Damian [Vidagany, director of football operations].

"The three of them are important pillars in this club. They have achieved many things in a short time, and they have helped me a lot. They were very valuable to me because they kept me grounded, they told me things as they have to be said..."

Despite his brief stint in Saudi Arabia, Duran has shown enough quality to earn another big move.

While Chelsea and Arsenal may now regret not making a stronger push,Mourinho and Fenerbahce have moved quietly and quickly and now look set to win the race.