Chelsea has a busy summer ahead of them under new manager Enzo Maresca, with numerous players expected to depart who will need to be replaced.
Maresca has lofty goals for the upcoming transfer window, and it’s no secret that the Blues want to bring in a new striker to compete with Nicolas Jackson.
Victor Osimhen, Napoli superstar, has long been Chelsea’s main goal, but his release clause of more than £100 million appears to be out of reach.
There are also speculations that he is ‘waiting’ for an offer from Arsenal, as it is his preferred next destination.
Chelsea is now looking for additional strikers, and Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran has previously been connected with the club.
Duran’s agent, Jonathan Herrera, stated in a recent interview that Chelsea’s desire ‘always existed’ and that a recent managerial change’should not influence’ the issue.
Villa could aim to profit from the 20-year-old centre-forward, who signed a fresh five-year contract last summer. Unai Emery might then use the monies to improve his squad ahead of his team’s Champions League campaign.
Chelsea renews interest in Aston Villa star
According to acclaimed transfer journalist David Ornstein, Duran is back on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist.
“Colombia international Duran, 20, was considered by Chelsea in January and is again among the candidates to strengthen their frontline this summer,” Ornstein wrote in The Athletic.
“Enquiries for the Aston Villa star have also arrived from Italy, Saudi Arabia and Spain.”
The Blues’ fresh interest in Duran comes as sources suggest that Armando Broja, who has been on loan at Fulham, may be sold this summer.
Chelsea is also desperate to find a buyer for Romelu Lukaku in order to finally offload his exorbitant salaries. He will be permitted to depart if a £38 million deal is made for him.
Signing Duran would therefore make sense for Maresca and his club, and it’s worth noting that a crucial Chelsea player, Conor Gallagher, may go in the opposite direction.
According to TEAMtalk, Villa are planning a surprise move for the England international in order to outbid Tottenham for his services.
Gallagher is only under contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2025, and as we’ve previously reported, the club’s board is willing to sell him for a reasonable price.
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