Chelsea have held talks over a move for Atlético Madrid striker Samu Omorodion even though the club remain in negotiations with Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán.
Villa last week granted Chelsea permission to speak to Durán over a move that could be worth up to £40 million, but the Londoners have not yet dismissed other options which include Omorodion.
Durán is yet to agree personal terms with Chelsea and the club have now also made checks on 20-year-old Omorodion, who is of a similar profile to the Colombian.
It is believed Chelsea have informed Atlético that they would be willing to pay £25 million for Omorodion, rising to over £30 million, but the Spanish club value him higher.
Omorodion spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alavés, where he scored eight goals and enhanced his reputation as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe.
Atlético are hugely reluctant to let Omorodion leave and sources claim they have already turned down one bid of almost £35 million for the player this summer from a club other than Chelsea.
It is also believed that Omorodion would like to stay at Atlético and fight for his place, but that has not stopped Chelsea holding talks over the player.
Chelsea’s interest in Omorodion has not ended their pursuit of Durán at this stage, but the Villa man may well need to drop his wage demands in order to secure a move to Stamford Bridge.
Villa are interested in Chelsea players Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen, but the Midlands club only intend to make firm bids if Durán goes the other way.
Another striker option Chelsea have looked at is to try to re-sign academy graduate Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth and the club do expect to bring in a new striker in the coming weeks.