Report dashes Chelsea hopes of signing Aston Villa star Jhon Duran in January

Chelsea links with Jhon Duran hit a roadblock as Villa want to retain the player

As the January transfer window approaches its final week, Chelsea find themselves unexpectedly linked with a potential move for Aston Villa’s Colombian striker, Jhon Duran. The surprise move comes amid ongoing discussions in the transfer market, adding an intriguing twist to Chelsea’s pursuit of reinforcements.

Villa acquired Duran from Chicago Fire in the previous January window, reportedly investing around £18 million in securing the Colombian striker. According to CIES’s valuation tool, Duran’s current market worth is £17m indicating the potential financial considerations involved in any transfer negotiations.

Unai Emery’s side, having made a significant investment in Duran’s acquisition, are unlikely to entertain the idea of incurring a loss on their initial purchase. This suggests that Villa may demand a transfer fee at least equivalent to the £18m they paid for the striker, underscoring the financial dynamics at play in the potential transfer.

However, BirminghamLive report that Villa remain “insistent” on retaining Duran’s services, signalling their reluctance to part ways with the Colombian striker during the current transfer window. Despite the reported interest from Chelsea, the stance from Villa suggests that any potential deal for Jhon Duran would face significant hurdles, particularly concerning the player’s availability.

What next in the Duran saga?

Duran’s statistics for the current season further emphasize his contributions to Aston Villa. With four goals and an assist in 23 appearances across all competitions, the 19-year-old has been a notable presence in Villa’s attacking lineup albeit as a “super-sub”.

Chelsea’s reported interest in Jhon Duran adds an element of surprise to their transfer plans, as the Colombian striker was not prominently featured in earlier speculations. The dynamics of the negotiations, including Villa’s financial expectations and insistence on retaining the player, will influence the potential outcome of this unexpected transfer saga.

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Whether the Blues can navigate the complexities of negotiations and secure the Colombian striker’s services remains uncertain, but the unexpected nature of this link ensures that Chelsea are up for a move totally out of the blue if the situations call for it.