Chelsea 'step up' interest in Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran as Conor Gallagher deal emerges

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in signing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.

The Blues are keen to add another striker to their ranks this summer, with Nicolas Jackson the only recognised senior No.9 at the club right now. Romelu Lukaku, who has spent the last two years out on loan with Inter Milan and Roma, is expected to leave on a permanent deal, while Armando Broja has attracted interest from Everton after spending the second-half of the campaign on loan at Fulham.

Duran was a target for Chelsea in the January transfer window, and the club have got their sights back on the Colombian as they try to add another centre forward to their squad. According to The Telegraph, the Blues have rekindled their interest in Duran, who has moved closer to the top of their summer shopping list.

The 20-year-old, who joined Villa from MLS side Colorado Rapids for £14.75m plus add-ons in January 2023, scored eight goals in 37 appearances during the 2023/24 season. Duran is rated as one of the brightest young players in his position but is very much second-choice behind Ollie Watkins at Villa Park.

The agent of Duran, Jonathan Herrera, spoke about a potential move to Chelsea for the forward before Mauricio Pochettino left the club by mutual consent and was replaced by Enzo Maresca.

Speaking last month, Herrera said: "The interest has always been there. The fact that Pochettino continues or leaves the club [shouldn’t affect], the one who wants him in the end is the club.

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"He is a player that if they change coach or not, we will see what happens, but there has always been interest. Let’s see how we can handle it and make sure Aston Villa are ready."

Duran has made no secret of his interest in moving to Stamford Bridge by liking a host of Chelsea-related messages on his X account. Villa need to sell players to allow them to spend money this summer to comply with profit and sustainability rules and Duran could be one of them on the move.

While Villa could lose Duran, they are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who is among a host of players who may leave the Blues this summer. Gallagher, who has one year left on his contract, has also attracted interest from Tottenham and is valued at around £50m.

Selling Duran to Chelsea would no doubt boost Villa's chances of signing Gallagher as they prepare to replace Douglas Luiz, who is closing in on a summer move to Juventus. Gallagher has been named in the England squad for Euro 2024 and could start their first game of the tournament against Serbia on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chelsea were dealt a blow in their potential pursuit of Benjamin Sesko after it was revealed that the Slovenian is expected to stay at RB Leipzig and sign a new contract. Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney are among the other strikers linked with a move to the Blues.