- 11 hours ago
Chelsea eye BARGAIN alternative to Duran transfer
Suraj Radia
- 16 Jun 2024 09:30 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are seemingly keeping their options open with their striker targets this summer after being linked with a move for one of Europe’s most prolific strikers despite pushing to sign Jhon Duran.
The Blues have reportedly been given permission by Aston Villa to discuss personal terms with Duran but a fee has yet to be agreed, with Chelsea reluctant to meet the 20-year-old’s €50 million asking price.
Consequently, Chelsea are exploring more affordable targets and German outlet BILD have named Enzo Maresca’s side as one of the four teams interested in signing Stuttgart hot-shot Serhou Guirassy.
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Guirassy scored 28 goals in as many Bundesliga games last season and has an appealing release clause in his contract of just €17.5m.
STATS
Serhou Guirassy
F (CRL)
Serhou Guirassy
F (CRL)
VfB Stuttgart
The 28-year-old is understood to be keen to resolve his future by the end of the month and Chelsea, along with Arsenal, Dortmund and Milan, have been quoted as the clubs who could make a move for the Guinean striker.
Guirassy himself has yet to make a decision over which club he would like to join, however it is believed that he will leave Stuttgart despite the club qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Guirassy represents different transfer approach from Chelsea
A move for Guirassy would certainly be intriguing for Chelsea as his arrival would make the forward the second-oldest player at the club after Raheem Sterling, 29.
The Blues have often opted to sign younger players in the Todd Boehly era, with the transfer for Duran more suited to their philosophy despite the Colombian making just three Premier League starts last season.
READ MORE: Chelsea’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time
STATS
Jhon Durán
F (CRL)
Aston Villa
Jhon Durán
F (CRL)
Aston Villa
Duran is likely to remain Chelsea’s top target to reinforce in attack but the club are aware that there is a lack of firepower in the squad outside of Nicolas Jackson, whose consistency often came into question last season.
A move for one of Europe’s top scorers in Guirassy would represent a bargain transfer opportunity despite his age, although Chelsea are thought to be more keen on Duran, with the hope that Christopher Nkunku can remain fit to provide a more experienced source of goals next season.
