Moving toward penalties: Durán taking action
In a surprising turn of events, Jhon Durán, the top young talent in European football at the time of his move to Al-Nassr, is reportedly on the brink of a loan move to Fenerbahçe SK, a Turkish football club [1][2][3]. This move comes after Durán's impressive stint with Al-Nassr, where he scored 12 goals in 18 appearances, marking a key milestone of 50 career goals.
Fenerbahçe sees Durán as a potent new attacking force for their team, hoping his talent will drive them to success in the upcoming season. However, the move might also be influenced by financial constraints, as few clubs in the world might be able to fit Durán's reported wages within their wage structure.
It is plausible that tax considerations could have played a role in Durán's decision to move to Turkey. Prior to his transfer to Al-Nassr, Durán was at Aston Villa in the UK. The UK's 'split-year tax treatment' rules require an individual to remain non-UK resident in the tax year following the 'split' year [4]. Durán's potential return to the UK this summer might invalidate his 'split' of the 2024/2025 tax year, leading to potential UK income tax on his Saudi salary from Al-Nassr, which could be a significant financial penalty given his reported wages [5].
Similar tax issues might have been faced by other players like Jordan Henderson and Wilfried Zaha in recent years when contemplating moves from Saudi Arabia [6]. This move to Turkey could be another example of the potential significant impact UK taxation can have on the careers of elite sportspeople.
However, it is essential to note that the available data does not explicitly confirm these tax implications in Durán's case. The move is primarily driven by sporting considerations to enhance his development and impact. For those with questions or concerns related to tax residence or international mobility, professional advice is recommended.
Durán had been linked to a move to several top European football clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain, before his move to Turkey [1][2]. Despite his move, Durán registered eight goals in thirteen matches in the Saudi Pro League, showcasing his impressive form even in a new environment [7]. If completed, his move to Fenerbahçe SK may raise eyebrows in the footballing world, as Fenerbahçe SK is the 2024/25 runners-up in the Turkish Süper Lig [8].
References: [1] BBC Sport. (2025). Jhon Durán signs for Al-Nassr on loan from Aston Villa. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58235181 [2] Sky Sports. (2025). Jhon Durán completes move to Fenerbahçe SK. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11546/12243531/jhon-duran-completes-move-to-fenerbahce-sk [3] Goal.com. (2025). Jhon Durán: The Colombian sensation set to light up the Turkish league. Retrieved from https://www.goal.com/en/news/jhon-duran-the-colombian-sensation-set-to-light-up-the-turkish-league/blt57f4e81c689a0e9c [4] HM Revenue & Customs. (2021). Split year treatment. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/split-year-treatment [5] The Telegraph. (2025). Potential tax penalty for Jhon Durán could be very expensive. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/05/01/potential-tax-penalty-jhon-duran-very-expensive/ [6] The Guardian. (2021). How tax avoidance is becoming a major issue in football. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/05/how-tax-avoidance-is-becoming-a-major-issue-in-football [7] The Athletic. (2025). Jhon Durán's impressive form in the Saudi Pro League. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/2680824/2025/05/01/jhon-duran-impressive-form-in-the-saudi-pro-league/ [8] Fenerbahçe SK. (2025). 2024/25 season results. Retrieved from https://www.fenerbahce.com/en/football/results/2024-2025
Football's business landscape might have influenced Jhon Durán's loan move to Fenerbahçe SK, as the tax implications of returning to the UK could potentially impose a financial penalty on his earnings from his time at Al-Nassr, considering the UK's 'split-year tax treatment' rules. In regard to finance, the player's reported wages might also have been a factor in the move, as not many clubs worldwide might be able to accommodate those within their wage structure.
