CHELSEA have allegedly got the green light from Aston Villa to open talks with Jhon Duran – but there is a catch.
Unai Emery wants to bring TWO Blues players in the opposite direction from Stamford Bridge.
The Colombian forward, 20, only joined Villa in January 2023 from MLS side Chicago Fire.
He has largely played back-up to England forward Ollie Watkins but still impressed.
Duran scored five goals in 23 Premier League appearances and his displays caught the eye of Chelsea.
The Telegraph claims that Villa have given the Blues, who now have Enzo Maresca as their new manager, permission to speak to the hotshot.
The player’s representatives are now thrashing out personal terms while the West London side carry out background checks on the South American.
And Duran’s “future is also key” to Villa signing one, and potentially two, Chelsea men.
Emery’s team have reportedly enquired about England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 24, and left-back Ian Maatsen, 22, after he impressed on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
The Dutchman has a £35m release clause but Dortmund were not willing to meet that.
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Gallagher has also been linked with a move away for months in order to help fund Chelsea’s summer spending but he has stated he is only focused on helping the Three Lions at Euro 2024 for now.
This update claims that a figure of around £40m has been “broadly agreed” between the two clubs for Duran but there are still “hurdles” to overcome before it can be completed.
Rather than put him on big wages straight away, Chelsea want to put him on a long and incentivised contract.
This report also claims that even though he is not considered a “bad lad”, the ace does have a reputation for being an “unusual character”.
Emery, who is preparing to lead Villa into the Champions League, was reluctant to lose Duran and believes his potential is unlimited.
However, profit and sustainability rules mean that they have to sell in order to make new signings.
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Chelsea have agreed the £42m transfer of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, according to reports.
Italian giants Juventus are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Bayern Munich are eyeing up a summer move for Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, according to reports.
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