Revealed: Chelsea submitted Deadline Day offer for Premier League star

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 1 Sept 2024 18:58 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea and West Ham United reportedly sent Deadline Day offers for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.

The Colombian was heavily linked with both clubs during the summer transfer window, and he was even spotted doing the Irons gesture on Instagram Live ahead of a potential move to West Ham.

That deal eventually collapsed, however, and Duran will be an Aston Villa player until at least January, despite his well-publicised desire to leave the club.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

However, both Chelsea and West Ham lodged Deadline Day loan offers for the 20-year-old, according to HITC.

Villa were quick to reject the loan bids, though, with Unai Emery’s side eager to retain Duran rather than lose him during the final hours of the window.

Chelsea were also pursuing moves for Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen on Deadline Day, but Enzo Maresca’s side were unable to agree a deal for either player.

As a result, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are the only recognised strikers in the Blues’ first-team squad, although Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix are both capable of playing in a false nine role.

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What has Unai Emery said about Jhon Duran?

After Duran’s match-winning goal off the bench against West Ham United in Villa’s opening match of the 2024-25 season, Emery was quick to praise the Colombian.

The Aston Villa boss told Sky Sports: “Jhon Duran is a special player. We have to try and help him. He is a good guy, and he needs a team behind him.

“He is getting our demands better. He was very clinical and today was important for him. Big Jhon is a bit nuts and is a nightmare to have in your team, but he’s got quality.”

In addition to his goal against West Ham, Duran also notched off the bench versus Leicester City on Saturday - scoring just two minutes after replacing Ollie Watkins.

As a result, he now has two goals in just 82 minutes of Premier League action this season.