Chelsea 'contacts' with Villa striker Duran still ongoing - Romano

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 27 Sept 2024 07:55 BST
4 min read

Jhon Duran, Chelsea, Aston Villa, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea remain in contact with Jhon Duran over a possible switch from Aston Villa, reports Fabrizio Romano.

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The youngster has been one of the best-performing strikers this season, with five goals in seven games so far. The Blues had attempted to purchase Duran during the summer window but were ultimately put off by Villa's asking price.

But Romano confirmed in his latest YouTube video that talks were still ongoing: “I can confirm that Chelsea really tried to sign Jhon Duran, Chelsea still like the player, but there is no active talks. Chelsea in June really tried to sign Duran.

"The deal was quite advanced between the clubs, but Conor Gallagher was part of the deal, and when he rejected to go to Aston Villa, the deal collapsed. Chelsea tried other different ways, but Aston Villa always said £50 million or nothing.”

Current ETV

Jhon Durán

F (C)

Aston Villa

Jhon Durán

F (C)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€5.6M - €9.4M

"Chelsea really tried to sign Jhon Duran. They rate and like the player at this moment. Contacts are ongoing, but it's not something that we can definitely update now.

The Blues had been hopeful of landing a No.9 during the window but were unable to bring a suitable one in. Victor Osimhen and Samu Omorodion were among other names that the London club had wanted to sign.

Arsenal also like Druan

It comes after FootballTransfers' exclusive story that Arsenal are monitoring Duran as an alternative option to Viktor Gyokeres in attack ahead of the January transfer window.

Gyokeres has long been a priority option for the Gunners but the €100 million price tag put on his head by Sporting CP has so far put Mikel Arteta’s side off from moving for a player who has scored 14 goals in nine games for club and country this season.

With the Sweden international’s release clause not active in the January transfer window, Arsenal are looking at Duran as another possibility.

Indeed, while Arteta favours Gyokeres, sources have told FootballTransfers that others inside the Emirates club believe Colombia international Duran better fits the Gunners’ style of play.

The 20-year-old has excelled with Villa in the early weeks of the season in a role coming off the bench – likely the one he would initially get at Arsenal. He has scored five goals in four games.