Chelsea up interest in Jhon Duran after missing out on Benjamin Sesko

• Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is on Chelsea’s list of summer transfer targets
• Benjamin Sesko is no longer an option after signing a new RB Leipzig contract
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Chelsea have rekindled interest in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran but the Colombian is valued at £40million.

Villa are in the process of negotiating the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus in exchange for £17m plus Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior. 

They are generating funds to stay within Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and are willing to sell Duran too. 

Chelsea had been in the chase with Arsenal for Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but he is to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga side on Wednesday. 

Duran has been a target for Chelsea since January.

Earlier this year, fans spotted that Duran had been frequently liking Chelsea-related posts on social media. 

Dominic Solanke is also understood to be on Chelsea’s list of targets but the Bournemouth frontman – who spent most of his youth-team career with the Blues – would likely cost a lot more than Duran.

Duran moved to Villa in January 2023 when he arrived from MLS side Chicago Fire for an £18 million transfer fee.

He has since featured in 23 Premier League games but started in only three, with Ollie Watkins firmly ahead of him in the striking pecking order at Villa Park.

Villa have an interest in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher but no swap deal has been discussed at this stage.