'Could be Haaland' - Jhon Duran big-money Saudi Arabia move questioned after Aston Villa exit

Jhon Duran has faced criticism from some quarters after his big-money move from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. But TNT Sports expert Joe Cole said the striker could become as good as Manchester City's Erling Haaland. Peter Crouch, meanwhile, admitted Duran's exit was "disappointing", before suggesting Villa striker Ollie Watkins would be "perfect" for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

‘He’d be perfect for Arsenal’ - Crouch & Cole on Watkins plus Duran moving for ‘life-changing money'

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Joe Cole said Jhon Duran could reach the level of Erling Haaland after the striker's big-money move from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

The 21-year-old departed for a reported fee of £65 million after impressing in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League this season.

His decision to leave Villa and join up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr has since come under scrutiny, but Cole claimed the move is a "life-changing" one.

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"You've got to look at it through a different lens," Cole said on TNT Sports' live coverage of Nottingham Forest v Brighton.

"It's going to be life-changing money for him and his family. It's ridiculous money.

"[Ivan] Toney was a different situation - he fought his way up through the leagues and then he had this opportunity and took it, fair play to him.

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"Jhon Duran could be Haaland in a few years if he stays in the Premier League. It's a big shout but he could be, he's got potential."

Peter Crouch took a more pessimistic view of Duran's switch. "It's disappointing. I want to see the best players in the Premier League every week here," said the former Liverpool and Tottenham striker.

"He was an up-and-coming young player just about to get his chance.

"I look at the Ivan Toney situation and we don't see what he's doing now. I get it at that point of your career, but he [Duran] is 21 years of age. It feels a bit of a shame."

Crouch: Watkins 'perfect' for Arsenal

Crouch turned his attention to Ollie Watkins, also linked with a Villa exit before the transfer deadline amid reports of interest from Arsenal.

"I totally get why they made the enquiries," Crouch said. "I think he'd be perfect for Arsenal, he's a ready-made Premier League goalscorer. In that setup he'd be perfect for them.

"Aston Villa won't want to lose two players of that calibre in the same position in one window. But I get it from Arsenal and obviously Ollie Watkins has mentioned before he's an Arsenal fan."

Villa have been at the centre of the speculation in the final week of the transfer window, with out-of-favour Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford reportedly on their radar.

Asked about the prospect of Rashford joining Villa, Cole said: "It depends what Marcus Rashford you get. We know what he can do, he's such a talented footballer.

"Huge statement, you're taking a player that would have been the figurehead at Manchester United. Things haven't worked out over the last few months so if he wants to go there - Villa are flirting with that top-level club status - it might just give a bit of va-va-voom for the club going into the Champions League. It could work."

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Cole 'stunned' by Mitoma situation

Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was the subject of a reported £75m bid from Al Nassr prior to the Seagulls' trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday lunchtime - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

And Cole admitted he was "stunned" by the news that Brighton had rejected the offer.

"I'm stunned because that is huge money and you look at what Brighton have done traditionally in the transfer market: buy players, develop them, sell them, re-invest the money in the squad," he said.

"Mitoma's 27, so you're getting to that stage where the valuation is going down. Maybe the player didn't want to do it or maybe they genuinely think there's an opportunity to kick on and get European football.

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"I don't know if there's a change of mindset at the club but that's huge money to turn down."

Crouch added: "Not everyone wants to play in Saudi Arabia. There's obviously financial opportunities but not every player is motivated by that. It's not a given right that you just take a player from the Premier League.

"If you're turning down that amount of money your club's in a good place."

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Thoughts?