'Not comparable' - Aston Villa chief aims dig at Saudi Pro League after £71m transfer bombshell

Aston Villa are aiming to get into the top four again this season. They reached the Champions League last year and are hoping to do the same again.

They have raised eyebrows with their recent double Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio signings. Striker Jhon Duran has left for Saudi Arabia though.

Unai Emery’s side are back in action this weekend in the FA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur. They were beaten 2-0 away at rivals Wolves last time out in the Premier League.

Aston Villa slams Jhon Duran transfer

Aston Villa director Monchi has given his verdict on Duran’s exit to Al-Nassr. The attacker has opted to leave Villa Park for a new challenge in the Middle East.

Monchi has said, as per Radioestaido Noche, via Sport Witness, “The economic potential of Arab football isn’t even in the Premier League, it’s an important rival because it drags signings. I think that the economic level is still not comparable to the competitive level and for the moment it is holding back some players.”

He believes getting back into the Champions League for the next campaign won’t be an easy task: “The excitement that has been generated is great and we hope to be up to the task in the next round [play-offs. The idea is to be in the Champions League again next season but it’s going to be difficult because the fight is tough.”

He has also hailed the addition of Asensio on loan from PSG: “Asensio has been a desire of Unai’s for a long time. Previously we tried and it couldn’t happen because he decided to go to PSG and since then we have been keeping an eye on him. We are excited about his arrival and that the Aston Villa brand is a magnet for important players, which is what we have been trying to do since we arrived.”

Jhon Duran’s exit from Aston Villa

At the age of 21, it is a shame to see Duran leave Aston Villa for Al-Nassr, especially so early on in his career. e provided strong competition for Ollie Watkins up top. However, if he didn’t go, Villa may not have had the financial power to bring in both Rashford and Asensio.

The Colombian attacker scored 12 goals during the first-half of this term. Prior to his transfer to England, he caught the eye playing in MLS for Chicago Fire. Duran was under contract until 2030 meaning Villa were under no pressure to cash in on him and could wait for the right offer. He was handed an extension in October last year.

Emery recently said: “Such circumstances, of course, in this moment are not helping us to be focusing 100%, but Jhon Duran is our player and I am happy with him. I want him here with us. Maybe some players can be in some rumours to leave from here or come here from other teams, but I think every team is in the same situation.”

Meanwhile, Duran said: “I’m just happy to be here. I actually love the competition I have going with Ollie Watkins. When it’s my turn, I will step up, and hopefully I can score and help the team.”