Jhon Durán arrives in Lisbon for Benfica loan, says club is 'the biggest in Portugal'
The Colombian striker, 22, landed at Humberto Delgado Airport on Saturday and told reporters he wants to 'score many goals' after agreeing a season-long loan from Al Nassr with a €30m purchase option.
Arrival and first words
Jhon Durán landed at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by Portuguese journalists. The 22-year-old Colombian striker had flown in with his representatives to finalise a move to Benfica and did not hide his enthusiasm. He described the club as the biggest in Portugal and stressed his winning mentality. Durán also revealed he had spoken with his friend Richard Ríos, who gave a glowing account of the project, and with head coach Marco Silva before travelling.
Benfica is the biggest team in Portugal. I'm a person who really likes to win and I'm here to win. I want to start working and I'm very happy to be here. I spoke with Ríos, he's my friend. I hope to have the support of the fans and I want to score many goals.
The loan agreement
Durán joins on a one-season loan from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, with Benfica securing an option to buy set at €30 million. Al Nassr had paid €77 million to sign him from Aston Villa in January 2025. He made 18 appearances for the Saudi club, scoring 12 goals, before being loaned out to Fenerbahçe and later Zenit during the 2025-26 campaign, without making a significant impact at either stop. To help push the deal through, the forward accepted a substantial pay cut from his Al Nassr salary. Medical examinations and the contract signing are expected to be completed swiftly, and Durán could join Marco Silva's training sessions as early as the start of the new week.
- Signed for Al Nassr from Aston Villa for €77 million
- Loaned to Fenerbahçe, then Zenit, with limited impact
- Arrives in Lisbon to complete Benfica loan with €30m purchase option
Attacking options and further targets
With Durán's arrival, Marco Silva will have four centre-forwards in the first-team squad: the new loanee, Vangelis Pavlidis, Anísio Cabral and Franjo Ivanovic. Pavlidis has impressed during pre-season and is likely to stay, while Ivanovic, who joined from Union SG for €22 million in 2025, has attracted interest from Serie A after a modest return of eight goals in 42 matches. Benfica are not finished in the market. According to A Bola, the club still wants to add a centre-back, a defensive midfielder and a winger before the window closes. António Silva is close to joining Bournemouth, with Tiago Gabriel and Ibrahima Ba named as possible replacements. João Palhinha remains the dream for the midfield role, though he appears set for Aston Villa, while Manu Silva has caught the coaching staff's eye.
Wider window
Elsewhere in Portuguese football, Francisco Trincão left Sporting for Saudi club Al Ahli in a deal worth €40 million, potentially rising by €4.3 million in add-ons. In England, Chelsea have reportedly agreed a €137 million fee with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers, with a six-year contract plus an option and a medical booked for Monday. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is in talks with Colo Colo and has several suitors across South America.
