Report: Chelsea Consider Late Move for Aston Villa Forward | OneFootball

Chelsea Eye Late Swoop for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran

As the transfer window edges toward its final hours, the stakes for Aston Villa are rising. According to GiveMeSport, Chelsea have identified Jhon Duran as a potential late addition to their squad. With their pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen facing obstacles, the West London club could turn to the Colombian forward to bolster their attacking options.

For Villa, this represents a significant challenge, with the threat of losing a key asset just as the season is beginning to gather pace. The departure of Omari Kellyman to Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer already stung, and now, with Duran being eyed by Chelsea, Villa could face another raid on their young talent.

Chelsea’s Interest Persists

Chelsea’s interest in Duran isn’t a recent development. The Blues were granted permission to negotiate personal terms with the forward in June, but they ultimately baulked at Villa’s £40 million valuation. However, their interest hasn’t waned, especially as they continue to struggle in their attempts to lure Osimhen away from Napoli. As the transfer deadline looms, Chelsea are keeping their options open, and Duran remains firmly on their radar.

This isn’t the first time Villa have had to fend off interest in the Colombian. Earlier this summer, West Ham United were keen on securing his services, but a deal never materialised. Duran even expressed his desire to leave Villa Park in a social media post, frustrating fans. Although the move to London didn’t happen then, the spectre of a late departure still hangs over the player and the club.

Duran’s Fit in Chelsea’s Project

From Chelsea’s perspective, Duran represents an ideal addition to their long-term project. At 20 years old, the Colombian forward is still brimming with potential, and his physical attributes and technical ability make him a tantalising prospect for any Premier League club. Despite his relative inexperience, there’s a belief at Stamford Bridge that Duran could be moulded into a key player for the future. Chelsea’s interest hasn’t diminished, and there’s a sense that Duran would be willing to make the switch if a last-minute offer comes through.

For Aston Villa, however, losing Duran at this stage would be a blow. Although the club is in a strong negotiating position, with the player’s contract running until 2028, a significant bid from Chelsea could force them into a difficult decision. While Villa could command a substantial fee, the timing couldn’t be worse. The window is closing rapidly, and finding a replacement of Duran’s calibre would be a monumental task for Unai Emery.

The Stakes for Aston Villa

Aston Villa have made progress under Emery, and keeping hold of their young talents like Duran is crucial to their long-term ambitions. However, the volatile nature of the transfer window often forces clubs into compromises. Should Chelsea fail to secure Osimhen, they may test Villa’s resolve with a late bid that could be too lucrative to turn down.

GiveMeSport’s sources suggest that Villa are preparing for the possibility of losing Duran. The club’s focus will shift to finding a replacement if the Colombian departs, but the challenge will be finding a player of similar quality in such a short time frame. Emery has already been exploring alternative options, but there is no guarantee that the right deal can be struck before the window closes.

Villa fans will undoubtedly be concerned about the potential impact on their squad depth. The departure of a promising young forward could disrupt their early-season form and force the club into a late scramble in the market. While the potential transfer fee may be substantial, it doesn’t mitigate the immediate impact on the squad.

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While the club might be in a strong position to demand a hefty fee, the timing couldn’t be worse. With only hours left in the window, any potential departure leaves Villa scrambling for a replacement, and that’s never ideal.

Duran’s potential is clear, and while his social media antics over the summer frustrated many, there’s no denying his importance to the squad. Losing him now would disrupt the momentum they’ve built under Emery and could create a void in their attacking options. The club may have alternatives lined up, but integrating a new player into the squad on such short notice is always a challenge.

Moreover, the fact that Chelsea are turning to Duran as a backup option if they fail to secure Osimhen adds another layer of frustration. Villa shouldn’t be in a position where they are losing key players to clubs who see them as second-choice options. It feels like another reminder of the financial disparity between the top clubs and the rest of the Premier League.