Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a shock move for Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
The Colombia international, 20, has not been getting the minutes he may have anticipated this season under Unai Emery at Aston Villa. He has made 14 Premier League appearances but is yet to start a game so far this campaign, with Ollie Watkins the club’s first-choice striker. As a result, the youngster is open to leaving Villa Park on loan for regular game time.
According to journalist Nathan Gissing, Chelsea have internally discussed the signing of Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran on a potential short-term deal. The 20-year-old forward has also attracted interest from Serie A side AC Milan but is not likely to leave Aston Villa unless Unai Emery’s side have a replacement lined up, he adds.
Chelsea edged past Fulham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on the weekend to make it three Premier League wins on a trot but still have problems to solve at the top end of the pitch. Due to a combination of injuries and fitness concerns, the West London outfit have been unable to find a consistent source of goals for the entire season.
Jhon Duran to Chelsea—Should the Blues sign him on a short-term deal?
Chelsea have been struck by a host of long-term injuries this season, including across their front line. This has majorly hampered the club’s progress under Mauricio Pochettino, with the Pensioners failing to find the back of the net regularly.
Summer signing Nicolas Jackson has blown hot and cold throughout the campaign, and him joining Senegal for the AFCON has left Mauricio Pochettino with Armando Broja as the only recognised senior striker. Broja has yet to pull up trees as he has only recovered from a long-term injury, while Christopher Nkunku continues to struggle with fitness. Although Nkunku is expected to return to first-team training soon, Chelsea are considering bolstering their attacking depth for the rest of the campaign.
Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran has emerged as a shock target for the Blues. Duran, who signed from Chicago Fire for around £15 million in January 2023, has scored four goals in 35 appearances for Aston Villa. Most of his appearances have been off the bench due to the form and goalscoring consistency of Watkins.
At Chelsea, however, the Colombian could get opportunities to start and enjoy more game time as compared to Villa. With Jackson away at the AFCON, Nkunku struggling with injury and Broja yet to hit the strides after recovering from a long-term injury, Duran could stake a claim in Chelsea’s first XI if he arrives. The 20-year-old can lead the attack and play on the right, and such flexibility would give Pochettino more options in attack.
The Pensioners have also been considering moves for Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney, although both would require a substantial fee to get the deal done in January. So, it would be in the best of Chelsea’s interests to sign Duran on a dry six-month loan and boost their hopes of qualifying for the top four.