Chelsea Reportedly Considering Surprise Move for Aston Villa Striker Jhon Duran

Chelsea has shown genuine interest in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran and is contemplating a surprising bid for the Colombian international before the January transfer window closes.

While Villa has already rejected a loan inquiry from West Ham United for Duran, Chelsea is now considering making their own offer. Reports from Colombia have indicated an increased interest from Chelsea, and it is understood that Duran's name is being carefully evaluated with only a week remaining in the transfer window.

Duran, who joined Villa in January last year in a deal worth up to £18 million, has predominantly served as a backup to first-choice striker Ollie Watkins. Despite scoring four goals, two of which were in the Premier League, and making a total of 35 appearances this season, the 20-year-old is eager to secure more playing opportunities.

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However, it remains to be seen if Chelsea can provide him with increased game time, considering Duran would be ineligible to compete in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup due to being cup-tied. Additionally, Chelsea has Christopher Nkunku returning from injury and Nicolas Jackson set to come back from the Africa Cup of Nations, adding more competition for playing minutes.

Middlesbrough has turned down two bids from Aston Villa for forward Morgan Rogers, who notably scored against Chelsea recently. Villa may be open to allowing Duran to leave if they can secure a replacement for him.

While Duran is undoubtedly talented, he is still relatively inexperienced, and his disciplinary record shows that he has accumulated four yellow cards in his 14 league appearances this season, averaging a booking every 43 minutes.

Chelsea's potential pursuit of Duran may depend on the future of Armando Broja, who is believed to have caught Villa's attention. If Broja leaves Stamford Bridge during the final week of the transfer window, it could impact Chelsea's decision-making regarding Duran. Broja has scored twice this season for Chelsea and is valued at over £50 million by the club. Whether the asking price for Broja decreases remains to be seen, as interested clubs such as West Ham United, Fulham, and Wolves are unable or unwilling to pay such a substantial fee.

There is expected to be a late surge in transfer activity as the window nears its closure. The future of midfielder Conor Gallagher remains uncertain, and Chelsea is open to letting Trevoh Chalobah depart. Chelsea will face Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday, where Duran is expected to feature.

Considering Duran's age and relatively low wages, he would align more with the profile of signings under the control of Chelsea's Behdad Eghbali-Todd Boehly than someone like Karim Benzema, who is being offered to clubs on loan until the end of the season. Although Benzema is reportedly unhappy in Saudi Arabia, his significant wages pose a major obstacle, making it an impractical deal for Chelsea at the moment. Lyon has shown interest in re-signing the 36-year-old former Real Madrid star.

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