Chelsea have reportedly secured a £42 million transfer for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, as per Colombian media sources.
The Blues are looking to bolster their attacking options, seeking a new centre-forward to challenge Nicolas Jackson, who netted 17 goals last season but was criticized for his inconsistency.
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Duran, who moved to Villa from MLS’s Chicago Fire for £18 million 17 months ago, has found it difficult to establish himself as a regular starter.
This season, Duran only featured in three Premier League matches, with manager Unai Emery favoring Ollie Watkins as the primary striker, alongside Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby.
Chelsea had shown interest in Duran during the January transfer window. Colombian journalist Guillermo Arango has indicated that an agreement has been reached with Villa for a £42m fee.
Negotiations are ongoing between Chelsea and Duran regarding his contract terms.
In a recent interview, Duran’s agent Jonathan Herrera hinted at the striker’s dissatisfaction with his limited playing time at Villa.
‘He is a player who has a contract with Aston Villa, he ended up doing very well and the coach is counting on him, it is a club that, having got into the Champions League is a great opportunity, but we know he wants to play, he wants to go out and play, we are going to see,’ Herrera told El VBar Caracol.
‘Now the market is opening up, the club is looking at some options and so are we.’
Speaking specifically about Chelsea’s interest in Duran, Herrera said Mauricio Pochettino’s exit would not have an impact on the club’s transfer plans.
‘The interest has always been there,’ Herrera said. ‘The fact that Pochettino continues or leaves the club [shouldn’t affect], the one who want him in the end is the club.
‘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.’
Villa, meanwhile, are also on the verge of selling Douglas Luiz to Juventus, with the club paying a €20m (£16.8m) transfer fee and including United States midfielder Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior as part of the deal.
